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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

Charleston Church Shooting Leaves 9 Dead. Aired 5-5:30a ET

Aired June 18, 2015 - 05:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:00:33] ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: Breaking news this morning, nine people dead, a killer on the run. The victims murdered inside historic Charleston, South Carolina church overnight.

Happening now: the intense manhunt for the shooter.

Good morning. Welcome to EARLY START. I'm Christine Romans.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: I'm John Berman. It is Thursday, June 18th. It is 5:00 a.m. in the East.

And the breaking news this morning is a gunman is on the loose right now after shooting and killing nine people at a prayer meeting inside historic South Carolina church, one of the most historic African- American churches in the country in Charleston, South Carolina. A frantic search underway at this hour for a suspect described as a white male in his early 20s.

The city's police chief does call this a hate crime. It took place at the Emanuel AME Church. This is the largest African-American congregation and oldest African-American congregation south of Baltimore.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GREGORY G. MULLEN, CHIEF OF POLICE, CHARLESTON POLICE DEPARTMENT: This is a tragedy that no community should have to experience. It is senseless and it is -- it is unfathomable that somebody in today's society would walk into a church when people are having a prayer meeting and take their lives. And I can assure you that we are going to do everything in our power to find this individual, to lock him up and to make sure that he does not hurt anyone else.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: Let's go live now to Charleston and bring in CNN producer Ashley Killough.

We know at 7:00 a.m. Eastern, when the next briefing with officials about where they are on the manhunt. Bring us up to speed with what you know, what you are seeing there now, Ashley. ASHLEY KILLOUGH, CNN PRODUCER: Right, Christine. Well, the latest

we've heard was about an hour ago. The Charleston Police Department said they are still looking for the suspect. So, there haven't been any updates overnight as to his whereabouts or how they are conducing the search, or even where they are looking.

So, we are hoping to get more details in that press conference in a couple of hours, and hope, we will find out more information.

BERMAN: Again, the suspect is being described as a white male, around 21 years old, wearing blue jeans and gray sweatshirt and Timberland boots. The police chief down there, along with city officials, let's listen, they described this as a hate crime.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REPORTER: Do you believe this was a hate crime?

MULLEN: I do believe this was a hate crime.

REPORTER: Is that why the FBI is here, to investigate it as hate crime?

MULLEN: It will be investigated as a hate crime. But the FBI would be here regardless because of the size and scope of the investigation, and they are our partners. And they would be here to help us regardless. But they are here for that specific person also.

JOSEPH P. RILEY, JR., MAYOR OF CHARLESTON: The only reason someone could walk into church and shoot people praying is out of hate, the only reason. That is the most dastardly act that one can possibly imagine. And we will bring that person to justice as soon as possible.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: Ashley, at this point, what do we know about the meeting that was taking place and what do we know about this church? Again, described as one of the most historically important African-American churches in the country.

KILLOUGH: Well, they were gathering for a bible study which is very common, especially in the South, for people to gather at church on Wednesday nights. So, they were gathered for that. The first call that the police got came at 9:05 p.m., and that's when they were dispatched on the scene.

But this is a very historic church. It is a landmark in the city. It goes back over 100 years. It had a role in helping slaves escape the Underground Railroad. So, it's a cherished place here. A lot of other community leaders and faith leaders came out here tonight, a lot of churches in this area and historic part of Charleston.

They call it the holy city. That is one of the nicknames because of the religious community here. We saw a lot of people of different faiths gathered tonight doing prayer circles. They stood in a big circle, held hands and were praying passionately. They were singing worship songs.

We expect to see more of that today. There will be a vigil later today where more people can sort of gather at this somber time.

[05:05:07] ROMANS: We were showing you just a minute ago, before we were showing these pictures of the prayer circles, we were showing pictures of what it looks like inside the sanctuary of that historic church. You can see handmade fundraising signs in there. You can see what is a large sanctuary where people gather, the event would have happened, the bible study would have been in a conference room, right, off the main sanctuary. As is the ritual across the Midwest and across the South, the Wednesday night bible study, Ashley.

KILLOUGH: Yes, it's a common tradition. We don't know how many people were there. We are told that there were survivors. But we don't know how many, we don't know who they are yet.

The police chief and mayor earlier this morning, they confirmed the total of nine fatalities. But they're not releasing any identities, they're not saying names until they're able to tell all the families and we don't know if we're going to get those at this next president. There are reports surfacing of some of the names, but officials aren't confirming those yet.

ROMANS: We know that eight died at the scene, one at the hospital. That's all we know officially.

BERMAN: I want to listen to the mayor who described meeting with the families of those who were killed.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RILEY: We just left speaking with members of the family. It was a heartbreaking scene I have never witnessed in my life before. And I told them that this community sends forth their love to them and that we are all in this together in this community to help those who have lost the loved one get through this time and give our time and love and support and encouragement as we bring this awful person to justice as soon as humanly possible.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: Coming together is the only option after a crime like this. A hate crime. And again, the suspect on the loose this morning, a manhunt underway. Local police, state police, the FBI all involved.

Ashley, I'm wondering if you can describe to me the scene on the ground. What are you seeing in terms of law enforcement presence?

KILLOUGH: Yes. Well, we are seeing a few police officers right now. There are some fire trucks going back and forth throughout the night. There is a much heavier police presence earlier in the night when there was a bomb threat at the time. They closed off more streets in the area.

They are not concerned about that anymore. They dismissed that concern when they met with us earlier this morning. But they are blocking off the street to the church. They are not letting people get close. There is still caution tape.

But it has been a busy night. There has been a lot of people from the community who have come out. They mostly left later this morning. But as we were saying we expect them to come back later today.

ROMANS: Ashley, you mentioned the bomb threat. I'm curious about the bomb threat. That was around the time of the shooting. There was chaos in terms of the law enforcement response. What was the timing of the bomb threat?

KILLOUGH: Yes, there's a lot of uncertainty between hours of 10:00 p.m. and about 1:00 a.m. They moved -- the media was a lot closer to the church. Closer to midnight, they pushed us back farther down the street. Not really saying why exactly. They weren't evacuating everything around the hotel, but they did point everyone on the streets to be a little bit farther away.

So, they were not too clear about it at the time until the press conference and they confirmed it was a bomb threat. But they are no longer concerned about that.

BERMAN: All right. Ashley Killough, stand by for us, terrific reporting from the ground there in South Carolina.

Of course, South Carolina is the site of so much political campaign. Hillary Clinton was there in Charleston campaigning yesterday.

ROMANS: Jeb Bush is due to be there today.

BERMAN: He canceled his scheduled appearance in Charleston. So, there are political reporters who are on the ground right there, right now.

And Robert Costa from "The Washington Post" is one of them and like the terrific repoter that he is, he rushed to the scene and to the aftermath.

Robert Costa joins us now.

And, Robert, you have been near the Embassy Suites Hotel nearby, which is the community center for the families of those killed inside this church. What are you seeing?

ROBERT COSTA, THE WASHINGTON POST (via telephone): Well, I'm a few steps away from the Embassy Suites. All of the families have come out in pairs and in groups hugging each other with tears on their faces.

[05:10:02] Some of them have shared stories about what they thought happened today inside the church. There has been a lot of frankly screaming when people have heard the news, when names have been confirmed privately from church members or law enforcement. It is a scene of people who were stricken and shook to their core.

ROMANS: Robert, tell us about the manhunt. The dragnet they must be deploying to find this person. This 20 -- early 20s sandy blond hair suspect. If you're just tuning in, he was in timberland boots and jeans and hoodie, walked into this church, walked into a conference room or a meeting room where they were having a bible study or prayer meeting, lingered around a little bit and then started shooting.

What do we know about this individual? What do we know about where he may have gone?

COSTA: Well, you are right. The point about him lingering around in the church, that has been said by several people who spoken with witnesses, including Norvel Goff, a prominent Baptist preacher who was with the mayor tonight. He came out and told reporters that the killer -- what he has heard and understood from law enforcement was, entered the church while the bible study, a prayer group was going on. He didn't say much, didn't participate and then opened fire.

I have been walking around sleepy southern city for the last few hours. And you still law enforcement out. I mean, they have opened up roads near the scene. So, it seems like, as Ashley, said there's now not so much searching around the church itself, but the city of Charleston, you have canine units out. I have seen dogs on the streets. Most notably, I've seen police helicopters with spotlight, as well police cruisers going around without their lights on, looking down alleyway.

BERMAN: And, Robert, we should say there is a police briefing scheduled for 7:00 a.m., where we could give more information on this manhunt. You know, any shooting is a tragedy, where nine people are killed, any shooting at a church is a horrific tragedy.

But, Robert, this isn't just any church. This is a church with enormous historical significance. The Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, its history dates back more than 120 years. It's central to the Charleston community.

COSTA: People call it not just some place of worship. Not just a church. They describe it as the heart of the African-American community in the city of Charleston and really in South Carolina. It's he city with a rich history for African-Americans. Martin Luther King Jr. has come through Charleston.

This is a historic place and that hurt has been punctured tonight by this killer.

We are looking at a picture right now from the King Center, a picture they released that shows Dr. King at the very pulpit in the very sanctuary. And there's a message going out. Police chief giving kind of a heartfelt message to the community about how to proceed from here.

Let's listen to what he said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MULLEN: This is an opportunity for us all to unite because of a significant tragedy that occurred. And what we need right now is we need everybody to come together and pray for these families, and we need them to come together and help us find this person so no one else is hurt. And what we need is for the community to look at this and say, we have had enough of this violence, and if we stand up together, we can stop this violence. And that's what we need the community to do.

So, I understand that people might be angry. I understand that they might be upset. And that is certainly emotions that we would understand.

What we need to do, though, is come together and help us to, one, support the families, support our community and catch this person so he doesn't hurt somebody else.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: You know, Robert, I'm struck by something, you know, talking about how to proceed from here. But at the same time, you have a killer on the loose and investigation underway. It is almost as if this is so fresh and we have this very dangerous situation.

What are officials saying in terms of what residents should be doing? I mean, I would assume if you are going to go to work in the morning, there is a killer, a mass murderer on the loose in that city.

COSTA: Well, I asked law enforcement in the last few minutes about that. They said the city is not on lockdown. Back roads are opened up.

So, the city is functioning as a city. It should be noted there are no protests at the moment. Ashley said there are prayer groups. There is no kind of congregation of people. Almost on every corner of Charleston at this moment, there are police and police cars. Roads are not closed, but police are ubiquitous.

BERMAN: I imagine as the day progresses, people may very well be gathered, but gathered in grief, Robert. We said a 7:00 a.m. press conference is scheduled for the police. I heard reports of a noon prayer vigil at another one of the local churches.

[05:15:02] The churches there are going to all come together. They're going to have to come together to grieve together and help each other get through this, because the enormity of this is just overwhelming.

ROMANS: Authorities are calling it a hate crime.

So, any gathering, Robert, any gather of people, though, needs to be very carefully protected. You have someone who they say committed a hate crime who is on the loose in that city right now.

COSTA: That is true. There's a lot of concern. Police officers are very present in helping guide people who are up at this hour to make sure they know where they going.

What is fascinating to watch in the last few hours is how many religious leaders have had a presence near the site and urged everyone to attend the noon vigil tomorrow at a local church called the Morris Brown Church. And they're over 50 pastors working on the scene right, they are gathering to keep the peace and try to comfort the families.

BERMAN: All right. Robert Costa for us on the ground in South Carolina.

Robert Costa, terrific political reporter with "The Washington Post." He was there covering Hillary Clinton who was campaigning in South Carolina yesterday. Jeb Bush who was scheduled to campaign in Charleston today. Jeb Bush has canceled his planned visit to Charleston.

It's interesting, one of the places he was scheduled to campaign has turned into sort of command center for police and law enforcement in that area right now.

ROMANS: That's right.

Let me show you just quickly what each has said. Hillary Clinton says, "Heartbreaking news from Charleston. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. H." That's a tweet that she sent out.

And Jeb Bush also weighing in, "Our thoughts and prayers are with the individuals and families affected by the tragic events in Charleston."

BERMAN: All right. The breaking news, nine people murdered inside that African-American church in South Carolina. A manhunt right now. We will bring you the latest details after this.

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[05:20:00} ROMANS: Breaking news this morning. Get you up to speed on the unthinkable act of violence in the South Carolina church. A gunman opened fire and kills nine people inside at a prayer meeting, at a bible study. The city's police chief describing the shooting as a hate crime.

Here's the suspect -- a white male in his early 20s. He is still at large, sandy blond hair, slender build, wearing a gray sweatshirt, blue jeans and boots. Police are looking for him right now. His target, the Emanuel AME Church, described as the heart of this historic city.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RILEY: This is the most unspeakable and heart breaking tragedy in historic Emanuel AME Church, mother church of the AME churches. People in prayer on a Wednesday evening, a ritual of coming together praying and worshipping God, to have an awful person come in and shoot them is inexplicable and obviously the most intolerable and unbelievable act possible.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: After the shooting, police were also dealing with a bomb threat made against the Emanuel AME Church. That complicated the response briefly and forced them to evacuate the area. There are no explosives were found, but you can imagine the chaos. Nine people in a conference off of sanctuary of the church, killed by this gunman who came in and seen lingering around.

BERMAN: And again, the manhunt underway, local police, state police, FBI, there had been helicopters. Streets closed all night.

Charleston, South Carolina waking up this morning to this manhunt, to the news that a killer is on the loose. Someone who walked in to one of the most historically significant African-American churches in the country opened fire and killing nine people. We have new details after this.

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[05:25:39] BERMAN: All right. The breaking news out of Charleston, South Carolina, horrific tragedy, horrific act of violence. Police searching for a gunman who opened fire inside an historic African- American church killing nine people.

This is a church where Dr. Martin Luther king once led prayer services. This is a church known as the heart of the community there. The Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church. It dates back more than 150 years.

The local police chief describes this as a hate crime. The law enforcement right now -- local, state, federal -- on the manhunt for a white male with sandy blond hair, said to be in his early 20s. He was said to be wearing a gray hoodie and Timberland boots. She walked into the church shortly after 9:00 p.m. and lingered for a bit and began firing.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RILEY: Our city police department, county police department, state law enforcement division, other municipalities, the FBI, and others are all combined and working with us to make sure that we catch this awful person and bring him to justice as soon as possible.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: The focus right now in Charleston is grieving. The focus right now is on this manhunt, is catching this killer. The focus is not on politics.

South Carolina so often the site of campaigning. Jeb Bush was scheduled to be in Charleston. He has canceled his campaign event in Charleston. He sent his condolences. His event was actually supposed to be at a site, just a little distance from this church. And the campaign location is now being used as a command center for local police.

ROMANS: A lot of questions of the response is, how wide the dragnet, and what people who live there should be doing right now with the killer on the loose. We are live in Charleston with the latest information for you, right after the break. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)