his target the emanuel a.m.e. church. rt of the historic city. >> this is the most unspeakable and heart breaking tragedy in historic emanuel a.m.e. church. mother church of the a.m.e. 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. >> after the shooting police were also dealing with a bomb threat made against the emanuel a.m.e. church. that complicated the response briefly and forced them to evacuate the area briefly. no explosives were found. you can imagine the chaos. nine people killed by the gunman. >> again, the manhunt underway. local police and state police and fbi. helicopters. streets closed all night. charleston south carolina waking up 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

it took place at the emanuel a.m.e. church. this is one of the best known church. >> this is a tragedy no community should experience. it is senseless. it is unfathomable that somebody would walk into a church in today's society when people are having a prayer meeting and take their lives. i can assure you we will do everything in our power to find this individual to lock him up and make sure that he does not hurt anyone else. >> let's go live to charleston and bring in our producer ashley killough. she joins us from the phone. when you hear people on the scene, it is like no one can keep from breaking up. it is a sad story. tell us what we know now about the drag net and the search for the killer, ashley. >> reporter: we are still waiting to get more information about how exactly they're trying to find the suspect. so far, they only released a description of him. young white male in his early 20s. they described the clothes he was wearing. they are having the public to be on the lookout and call in if they see someone who match

for their brothers and sisters in charleston and the church that was affected torn apart by that massacre, the mother emanuel maim chump. -- emanuel a.m.ech. the shooting police call a hate crime has left people deeply shakenned. we speak to members of metropolitan a.m.e. about race in america. >> the american impulse is to move directly to healing and not deal with the issues. we are a country of am niece yaks and we have -- amnesia -- amnesiacs and we've got to do something. >> it's mental illness of racism and slavery. unless we talk about the issues openly and publicly, we'll continue to find these types of things happen. >> what vision do we have of a place where we can be safe, we can welcome people of different races into our worship and not be afraid. >> we have a double standard in terms of how we see each other. we have humanized one part of this country and dehumanized another part of this country. >> again members of that congregation speaking so frankly to our bruce johnson about race in america and whereas a nation we go from here. again their prayer vigil happening at noon here at the metropolitan a.m.e. church at 15th an

three of hose people pastors at the emanuel a.m.e. church. some worked as a high school coach, a librarian a church custodian. chris singleton is a baseball player at charleston southern university who lost his mother. >> we're mourning right now but i know we'll get through t. my momma was a god fearing woman. >> the youngest victim, 26-year- old twanza sanders just graduated from college with a business degree. the oldest, 87 yearldz suzie -- 87-year-old suzie jackson who sang in the church choir. these victims on the minds of people. you can leave your thoughts and messages for those mourning on wusa9 and our facebook page. or you could share your feelings through our mobile app where you can find info on the latest developments with this tragedy. just use the hashtag prayforcharleston. >>> let's take a moment to check in with ecame grow for a look -- erica grow for a look at your friday forecast. >> we could see another round of showers and storms. it doesn't look nearly as powerful as it was yesterday. you can see them develop on 9 future

was one of nine killed when a gunman open fire during last night's bible study and prayer at emanuel a.m.e. church. he was also part of a documentary project that tells the history of emanuel, the oldest a.m.e. church in the south, once a nerve center for the civil rights movement. whether or not the aalleged gunman bhofs caught knew that isn't known but tyler plans to go to south carolina for his friend's funeral. >> he leaves behind a wife and two daughters. your words of inspiration to them? >> well, i mean right now, up i'm just praying they can make it through these next few days. this is the hardest time. and then also that friends will surround them. >> reporter: tyler says the massacre, authorities are calling a hate crime, has motivated him to re-evaluate his own church's upgraded security system. it was installed after a recent burglary that tyler plans to host service here in the sanctuary tonight at 7:00. no doubt we'll have that for you. live for now in society hill monique braxton, "nbc10 news." >>> stay with nbc10 for continuing coverage of the church massacre. in fact, president ob

police say he shot and killed nine black commissioners at the emanuel a.m.e. church and may face hate crime charges. robert ray joins us from charleston. what has been the reaction to dylann roof's arrest. people are happy he's back in south carolina and he'll have a bond hearing at 2:00 pm. justice will move forward. a lot of people gathering in front of the church pop up vigils, conversations on the streets about what went wrong, how this could happen again in the united states and how we move forward as a country. >> i am very very pleased to announce that we have made an arrest in this case we arrested dylann roof from lexington south carolina. >> it took authorities 14 hours to track down the 21-year-old man suspected of opening fire inside the historic emanuel a.m.e. church near charleston's main square. police say officers picked him up during a traffic stop in north carolina. >> that awful person, that terrible human being who would go into a place of worship where people were praying, and kill them is now in custody where he will always remain. >> reporter:

also today bible study will resume at emanuel a.m.e. church. it was last held one week ago when dylann roof opened fire and chilled nine people. north carolina police released dash cam video from the moment they arrested roof last thursday. the 14 hour manhunt ended with a traffic stop. a woman called 911 after spotting roof's car. >> the shooting is raising questions about the issue of gun control. dylann roof reportedly was able to buy a gun although he had an outstanding drug charge pending the brady campaign against gun violence plans to deliver thousands of condolence cards to the church. >> as calls echo throughout south carolina to have the confederate flag removed hear at the heart of emanuel a.m.e. church there's a different discussion, that gun control. south carolina has some of the most lax gun laws in the entire country. you don't even need a background check to purchase a gun from a private sale. the charles stan mayor said both issues the confederate flag removal and gun control needs to be addressed. >> some would say the flag d

more than 1,000 people crowded in and around emanuel a.m.e. church monday. the church, known as mother emanuel opened its doors for the first services since the attack. thousands marched for peace and solidarity. jonathan martin is live in charleston. the service and march came on father's day. >> i sat inside during the service and certainly it was tough for a lot of the members and ministers to get through but they pushed through. this day ended yesterday with a really strong show of solidarity with all of those people marching and joining hands across charleston's famous bridge, a sign of peace and solidarity. officials expect 3,000 people to know up. when the day was done, some 10,000 people showed up there in peace. they reopened four days after the mass killing here. one minister told me, they had to reopen these doors because with all of the media here and all of the visitors here, they have to show the world just how strong their faith really is. >> determined not to let fear and anger outweigh their faith. >> i felt like i really needed to come out t

police believe the shooting at the historic emanuel a.m.e. churche. >>> politicians have rejected a proposal that would see voters elect their new leader in 2017 from candidates approved by beijing. >>> dozens are reported to have been killed in a series of car bombings in yemen's capital sanaa, the attacks targeted mosques near houthi rebel headquarters a group affiliating with isil has claimed response. >>> france's finance minister says it would be a catastrophe for greece in it leaves the euro. the stalemate only greece's financial crisis continues as finance minute officers from the euro zone gather in luck up board for another round of meetings. from an he had john entry we have a report. >> reporter: this woman boiled it down to one word, no. >> translator: i say no to those blackmailing us, i say no to my country being sold piecemeal. at this point as it is, clean whole and, with its history. even if it means leaching the euro. >> translator: i want to tell my prime minister what we fear is a possible retreat. we are prepared even for a brea

these nine families need us the emanuel a.m.e. church needs us, the a.m.e. ple of south carolina need us to come together and be strong for what has happened. >>> powerful moment. john you've been speaking with members of the community there in charleston south carolina all day. how are they dealing? how are they opening with this horrific act of terrorism? >> reporter: i've got to say, jake the range of emotion i have seen has been remarkable. ironic that -- people were genuinely afraid. there was a killer on the loose, a person who targeted a black church. there are so many african-american churches in this community that people were frankly afraid then there was a great deal of satisfaction. i saw someone high-five the sheriff when they learned this man was caught in shelby north carolina satisfaction that the law enforcement community worked together to find him. but more than anything, just shock, disbelief and grief, pure brief. there were nine people killed behind me at mother emanuel, the emanuel a.m.e. church. four of them were religious lead e. incl

again, the shooter targeted the emanuel a.m.e. church. known as the heart of the community. >> this is the most unspeakable tragedy in historic emanuel a.m.e. church. mother church of the a.m.e. churches. people in prayer on a wednesday evening. a ritual of coming together and praying and worshipping god to have a awful person come in and shoot them is inexplicable. obviously the most intolerable and unbelievable act possible. >> this is a terrible tragedy for charleston. the entire city, not just the african-american community. of course, south carolina is the site of a lot of politics. a lot of people campaign in south carolina. hillary clinton was in charleston yesterday. jeb bush was due to hold a meeting down the street from the church. the place where he was to hold the campaign event is now the command center for police there. jeb bush has canceled his event in south carolina today. >> wednesday night bible study and prayer meetings are routine. a safe middle of the week way to recharge as you go on with your lives. these people wer

. >> today in charleston south carolina, the emanuel a.m.e. church reopened its doors. the sunday service was the first in the church since wednesday night when nine members of its congregation were shot and killed during bible class. del walters is live in charleston right now covering events. what are you seeing and what is the latest? some say what happened earlier today was nothing short of a modern day miracle. after columbine, it was four months before that school reopened for classes. when there was a movie theater shooting in colorado, it was six weeks before the theater again welcomed patrons. in sandy hook, the school was bull dozed. four days after that shooting when nine people in this church were gunned down, some say that was an act of god others an act of defiance, others say it was fate but still all still have questions, they're asking why. >> we ask oh god that you will guide and direct and strengthen those families who have been victimized by that horrible situation. we ask questions, lord, we ask why. we cannot help it, it is our human nature. one of

a day of mourning in charleston, south carolina as pastor of emanuel a.m.e. church is set to be laid to rest. president obama will deliver the eulogy. first lady and vice president and his wife are also attending. >> morgan radford is live. thousands are expected to pack the arena for the ceremony, i hear. >> that's right. in fact, john, hundreds of people are already lined up outside of the arena where that service will happen at 11:00 a.m. what's interesting is the way the community has come together to really make sure that everyone can watch that service. all three local news stations will be showing it in its entirety and local businesses and homes have been opening up just to make sure people can watch it for free. yesterday, everyone was coming up to our crew asking when is the president coming. his motorcade is expected at 1:00 this afternoon and his remarks according to the white house will focus on not only remembering, but celebrating reverend pinckney's live. >> she was a victim of hate and she can be a symbol for love. that's what she was in life. >> as

the church service at the emanuel a.m.e. church in charleston comes after the man accused of killing nine people face adjudge for the first time. dylann roof is also facing a federal investigation into whether the attract was an act of terrorism. brad bell is leading the coverage. he is live in charleston with how people are responding with love to this violent act. brad? brad: maureen, you put it exactly right. you heard this young man today. we heard his voice and we heard him speak. but that voice is drowned out by the victims' families talking about love and forgiveness and unity. dylann roof appeared in court wearing prison gear answered the judge's questions quietly. >> you're unemployed at this time? >> yes, sir. brad: an extraordinary thing. south carolina at bond reviews member of victims' families are allowed to speak. several did. all offered forgiveness. >> may god have mercy on you. brad: at the scene of the crime, people from charleston and elsewhere bringing flowers to lay in front of the emanuel a.m.e. church. >> wo

a.m.e. church where an emotional vigil was held there this evening. sam: like the emanuel a.m.e. church in charleston metropolitan a.m.e. church has ties and they came here to share the sister church's pain. hundreds packed in the church for a noontime prayer vigil. >> good morning. welcome. >> good morning. sam: a security guard greeted them for a noontime prayer vigil and they came in droves of the various racial hughs and various religious backgrounds. a collective outrage and sorrow over what happened at metropolitan sister church in charleston, emanuel a.m.e. church. >> we pray for a church who had been a target. >> inside they prayed they sang. they cried. and hold hands. they berated through the sanctuary with pictures of the mine who were killed and denounced what seemed to some an endless cycle of violence. >> is there no position? >> they sang the african-american national anthem as they call for an examination of what could cause so much hate. >> what environment created such intensity, that should be the series of next steps. what do we need to do next that is what we

sam: just as emanuel a.m.e. church is a historic black church in downtown charleston this church is historic church in washington. today they held a prayer vigil in memory of people in south carolina. it was a service that brought together black and white. christian, jew muslim and sikh to mourn the violence in charleston. they paraded around-the-pack sanctuary holding high the picture of the nine can i feeled in the attack in charleston. among the speakers was an emotional commissioner who was the daughter of congressman clyburn. her friend cynthia hurd was among those killed. >> she was wonderful. she was dedicate. she was committed to her church and her community. >> i think in washington this is personal for a lot of people. >> this is personal for a lot of people with connections to south carolina. there are a lot of people who believe and have respect for institutions, religious institutions. sam: what happens next? she and owes says there needs to be an examination of the level of hatred that creates what happen

. >> worshipers are back in the emanuel a.m.e. church in the u.s. state of south carolina. it is the first time the church has reopened its doors since the gunman killed the pastor and eight others in the city of charleston. police are now investigating if there is a link between the gunman and a racist manifesto found on line. large crowds were cueing up outside the church long before it opened. of course nine african-americans gunned down in the church. this is the first service since the shooting. huge emotions, of course, relatives for gave the gunman who was allegedly responsible the shooting the worst attack on a u.s. place of worship in decades. as you can see the community really binding together in an effort to deal with this very difficult tragedy that took place during the week. it's opened up plenty of emotions and revealed that race remains a deep fault line in america. president obama saying that the u.s. should closely examine its gun laws. let's speak to our correspondent outside the church as that service is going on. it's really brought the community togeth

hours earlier he walked into the it prayer meeting at the emanuel a.m.e. church sat with black parishioners for nearly an hour before shooting and killing nine before fleeing. federal and state officials are investigating the shooting as a hate crime. al jazeera's rob mcrae joins us from charleston. >> evening. the suspect is in custody. fbi flew him here to charleston earlier today from north carolina. he has a bond hearing at 2:00 pm tomorrow. in the meantime you can see a lot of people gathering throughout the night in front of the church where the nine people were murdered a little over 24 hours ago. a stream of individuals, some talking about exactly what the issues are, racism, gun control. many discussions on the streets. earlier we had a woman with bagpipes showing her report. the streets went silent after she ended her talent. we are taking it in here. it's a sad moment in charleston and another moment of reflection where america has to dig in and figure out what need to change so this doesn't happen again. we are told that the suspect's room-mate said t

nine people were gunned down during bible study at emanuel a.m.e. church. tonight at the church you see there, there is a public viewing for the pastor, state senator clementa pinckney. michelle miller is in charleston. >> reporter: family members wept and embraced as they said their final good-byes to ethel lance, the 70-year-old mother of five and grand moir of seven died in the church she served all her life. brandon risher is her grandson. >> you know, most people don't get to represent a symbol in death. she was a victim of hate. and she can be a symbol for love. that's what she was in life. [applause] hate is powerful. but love is more powerful. [applause] >> >> reporter: a few hours later across town 45-year-old sharonda coleman-singleton was also being remembered. singleton died the same night she was ordained as a minister. she was a mother of three a speech therapist and coach of the girl's track team at goose creek high. khalia gadson says the team affectionately called her coach sugar love because sugar love is what she often called them. >> are

this is morning for emanuel a.m.e. church. the sacrifice of nine members of our church will not go in vain. >> sreenivasan: all right, my condolences to your personal loss as well. william dudley gregorie, city councilman of charleston. thank you for joining us. >> and thank you very much for having me. >> sreenivasan: churches across the country are joining in prayer and support for the congregation in charleston. the newshour's stephen fee attended one such gathering, here in new york city. ♪ i do believe that we shall overcome ♪ >> reporter: under rainy skies today, dozens of new yorkers marched down merrick boulevard, part of a morning of prayer and song in memory of those killed in charleston. leading the marchers, new york city mayor bill de blasio. >> this is something that violates every concept we have of decent of accident sceney and civilization and democracy. cold-blooded murders in a house of worship. >> reporter: the mayor called the killingsand act of requested domestic terrorism," and said the country's gun laws

joining me now, former pastor of the emanuel a.m.e. church steven singleton. u, sir, feel about the church opening its doors just four days after the attack? >> well it's a step that they feel the need to take and but it's just the first step. the first step is normally a tough step. but they have an incredibly long way to go but they're sending a message that oppression and hatred cannot crush the gospel and they're going to press their way and go forward. >> reverend you were the pastor of that church for some time so when you heard about this shooting, what went through your mind? >> i was absolutely crushed, devastated. of the nine people who died eight of them were people that i knew. one of them was a very very close friend of mine. so yeah i've been in a little tailspin myself for the last few days. >> i can about imagine. how does the whole community of charleston, as you face as you say, the long road to healing, how does the community completely recover from this tragedy? or do you not? do you carry it with you? >> well you never lose it completely. b

you spend one minute outside of emanuel a.m.e. churchof the people who pray the people who come from all across the country to pay their respects in a kind of pilgrimage. if only we could all live as we feel in the shadow of emanuel a.m.e. church. >> thanks to you both. >>> the next hour of cnn "newsroom" starts now. >>> this is cnn breaking news. >>> all right breaking news to tell about right now. we're following a string of terrorist attacks across europe north africa and the middle east. in france two people in custody now after an attack at a u.s.-based company's factory. reports one person was decapitated, their head placed on the front gate. in tunisia, north africa 27 dead at a

today, the congregation of emanuel a.m.e. church gathered for the first sunday service since a gunman killed nine people there last week with extra police officers on hand. mother emanuel was open to all the same spirit of welcoming that suspect dylann roof took advantage of last wednesday night. among the dead was the church's senior pastor, clemente pinkney with a black sheep draped over his chair. let's go live to south carolina now. >> many people were shoulder and surprised to hear this church was reopening four days after what happened here. one minister said they had to reopen to show the world just how strong their faith really is. determined not to led fear and anger outweigh their faith. >> i felt i needed to item and strengthen myself. >> many members returned to worship for the first time since wednesdays mass shooting, with heavy security on hand. >> it has been tough it's been rough. some of us have been down right angry, but through it all god has sustained us. >> ame church elder led the service, standing with the lo

it was the mother emanuel a.m.e. church where he was killed last week along with eight others studying the bible. >> i ask that in the memory of mr. pinckney that we are generous in spirit, gracious in our conversation. >> reporter: a horse-drawn caisson will carry the reverend's casket to the state house grounds later today where the confederate flag continues to fly high. lawmakers in south carolina have new begun debate on removing what many view as a sign of hate, others a symbol of history. >> as we consider this amendment, we be respectful of the victims' families who are awaiting to bury their loved ones. >> reporter: president obama will deliver the eulogy at pinckney's funeral friday. >> two other viewings will be held tomorrow for reverend pinckney. one at emanuel a.m.e. church where he was pastor. the other in his hometown. services for the other eight victims will take place this week and next week. the city has temporarily banned protests or picketing within 300 feet of where the funerals, memorials or burial s

. >> reporter: a good man, gunned down with eight others inside mother emanuel a.m.e. churching midweek bible study. accused killer dylann roof was never mentioned by name, but a sign near reverend pinckney's casket seemed aimed at him and all who hate. "wrong church, wrong people, wrong day." >> blinded by hatred, the alleged killer could not see the grace surrounding reverend pinckney and that bible study group. the light of love that shone as they opened the church doors and invited a stranger to join in their prayer circle. >> reporter: the president spoke of the nation's long struggle with race and the south's seismic shift this past week regarding the confederate flag. praise across political lines to south carolina republican governor nikki haley. she called for the flag to come down earlier this week. >> the flag has always represented more than just ancestral pride. for many, black and white, that flag was a reminder of systemic oppression and racial subjugation. we see that now. >> reporter: in church, the president acknowledged the national conversation about race.

are investigating church fires in the wake of the emanuel a.m.e. church. it happened at churches with predominantly african-american congregations. three of the five fires were intentionally set. that includes last week's fire that gutted a church in charlotte. they expect race to be a factor in some cases. but they do not believe the fires are linked to one person or group. we are a getting first look at the man suspected to set fire to c.v.s. store in baltimore riot. a.t.f. issued this wanted poster for carter who is wanted on damage and destruction. the fire ignited after people began looting the store. they believe carter is still in the baltimore area. the man accused of sexual assaulting women at the wheton metro station bleeded guilty. jordan admitted to the attack. kevin lewis has followed the story from the start and is live outside the montgomery courthouse with the on-camera confession. kevin? kevin: maureen, until now jordan had a nearly clean criminal record that wasn't until december when he went on a sudden sexual abuse spree. today the 20-ye

jim, he will be among those who will be attending the services here tomorrow at emanuel a.m.e. church axelrod: elaine quijano reporting for us tonight from charleston. elaine, thank you. a manhunt is under way tonight for a man suspected of shooting and killing a 22-year veteran of new orleans police department. as vinita nair reports the officer was attacked as he was transporting the handcuffed suspect to prison. >> reporter: immediately after his s.u.v. slammed into this utility pole, 46-year-old daryle hollway was still alive. the veteran police officer was shot in the chest while transporting 33-year-old travis boys to prison. new orleans police superintendent michael harrison: >> sad day for the city of new orleans, especially for the hollway family. >> reporter: new orleans police say officer hollway and boys got into the s.u.v. at the police department before 8:00 8:00 a.m. they were supposed to drive about six miles to the orleans parish prison. less than halfway to their location boys partially unrestrained himself. >> somehow, he was able to get his hands from behind his ba

church office when the shooting took place. mother bethel a.m.e. in philadelphia's society hill neighborhood is the sister church of emanuel a.m.e. in charleston. he african methodist episcopal church was founded in philadelphia in the late 1800s. coverage of the church massacre in south carolina continues on "nbc nightly news" ahead at 6:30 tonight. >>> here at home amazon unveils a new nerve center in new jersey that will bring jobs to the area and bring local customers their deliveries faster. the new facility in robbinsville mercer county covers more than a million square feet and employs thousands of local workers. the fulfillment center features 14 miles of conveyor belts and uses robots to do some of the heavy lifting. officials also say the robbins robbinsville location is ideal because about 40% of the country is within ten hours driving distance and the center also has easy access to airports and shipping ports. >>> tens of thousands have descended on delaware. the firefly music festival kicking into high gear in dover. nbc 10's tim furlong is taking it all in this afternoon. how's the crowd looking tonight? >> reporter: muddy. at leas

we have heard similar talk last night at the prayer service held at the church just behind emanuel a.m.e. a multi-cultural event. several presbyterian churches coming together. a lot people rubbing each other's backs. they are doing so not surprisingly through the word of god. >> thank you very much. so moving she was able to speak. she had gone for the meeting. she had to go home. that saved her life. >>> pastor thomas dixon. he knew the reverend who died wednesday night. you were at the vigil where athena was reporting from. it's the forgiveness that seems overwhelming. in the face of such an evil act, people would be entitled to a lifetime of anger. they certainly -- people would expect them to feel that 18 hours later. yet they are talking about love and forgiveness and coming to the. together. how are they able to do that? >> this is the power of the gospel the belief system we live with as christian believers. we go by faith not by sight. in face of the atrocities that were perpetrated against these families that they would get angry, want to rebel, go off and things like that. but

the body of the pastor will return to emanuel a.m.e. church for a day of viewings following wednesday's in the state capitol. more than 100 people returned for bible study at the church. workers removed all traces of last week's attack. morgan radford is live in charleston this morning. good morning. tell us all about what is going on around these first funerals. >> right well, stephanie protests have actually been banned near the funeral sites 300 feet from the memorials. that ordinance is expected to last 60 days. this is after members of the anti gay west borough baptist church based in kansas promised to picket the funerals. the community members said they would create a human blockade to prevent them from coming in. the two funerals that are happening today are for 70-year-old ethyl van and the second for is that rhonda singleton. >> more than 100 people returned to the service. all traces of that attack were removed. there's a visiting pastor that came and prayed with the congregation. i have some sound for you. listen to what he had to

. ♪ >> back in the emanuel a.m.e. churchn charleston, south carolina, police investigating if there is a link between the gunman and a racist manifesto found on line. let's go live outside the church. an important moment for the community to come together and reflect on this terrible week that's just passed. >> it really is, very incredible sceneles outside the church. it is quiet a solemn scene but uplifting, as well with people cheering or chanting gospel songs. led me give you a scene of what it's like out here now. several hundred people and you said the church, people that were not able to get seats inside, the road has been blocked off so people can be outside and listen to what's happening inside the church via big speakers that are out here. we see a wide cross section of society as everyone really coming together, as we know, it's a historically black church and a lot of the caucasian community is out here, showing support for the families of the nine people that were terribly killed. now we did see in the state cap

. >>> among the dead the pastor at the emanuel a.m.e. church clementa pinckney. he was a man with a booming voice but a gentle message. he preached peace. not only was he a pastor he was a state lawmaker too. he recently backed a bill to make body cameras mandatory for all police in south carolina in light of the walter scott shooting. >> we need a better more comprehensive and fair system. more importantly, every person in south carolina needs to know that they will have equal protection under the law and that a badge and a gun does not give someone superiority or will trump their constitutionally protected rights here in south carolina. >> but now that state senator among the dead inside that church. that officer, by the way, that he was speaking ofdicted for murder. i'm just so sorry. i know you just talked with pastor pinckney yesterday. i just can't imagine how you're feeling today. >> caller: it's quite frankly a feeling of disbelief. yesterday i had a very long conversation with senator pinckney early afternoon about some legislation that we needed to work

this is believed to be 21-year-old dylann roof inside the emanuel a.m.e. church just moments, moments before he murdered really massacred nine people in an act of terror inside this church. and then the other image that is on your screen that you are looking at is another victim here the pastor of the church state senator and pastor clementa pinckney welcoming this young man into the fold and all of the people whomp there that evening into the fold trying to teach them to do good teach them from the bible, teach them god's way, the holy way. amongst them was a devil, this young man, who is accused of this horrible act, wolf. >>> all right. don lemon reporting, we're going to get back to you, of course and don will have full coverage of this church massacre and the aftermath at 10:00 p.m. eastern later tonight on cnn tonight. >>> joining us now is republican congressman mark sanford of south carolina a former governor of that state. when you heard that report from don lemon, he sat there for an hour, this not only was a mass murder congressman, it was a hate crime

now emanuel a.m.e. churchce in the face of racial injustice, something that black churches have been called on to do far too often. in 1963 church bombing that killed four young black girls, and the rash of church burngs in the 1990s. they tell you to pray. in a moment like this but praying is what was happening in the church when the nine lives were taken and so i have been left wondering what am i supposed to pray? >> we can pray with our eyes open and on our feet. when we think about the history of african-american churches they were actually birthed in secret. they were not allowed enslaved men and women were often not allowed to worship or if they were allowed to worship sometimes they had to sit at the back of the church or had to sit in the galley or had to sit in the balcony. they sometimes could not even receive communion. so to be born out of that as a protest against segregation, against dehumanization, african-american men and women in these historically black churches have been praying this whole

pictures surfaced showing the man accused of killing nine people last week in charleston's emanuel a.m.e. church posing with the flag. >> we are asking lord that they bring the flag down. we are asking that nine lives will not have been lost in vain. >> reporter: as the state grapples with an issue that has raged since the flag was first raised on the capitol grounds more than 50 years ago. opponents are optimistic the confederate flag will be removed from the state house grounds here in columbia by august at the latest. nbc news columbia south carolina. >> company officials of ebay say the flag has become a symbol of quote, deviceivisiveness and racism. the merchandise is not sold in sears or kmart stores either but the retailer was allowing third party items to sell the items on sears.com. those stores are following walmart's lead. the arkansas based retailer says it is removing all confederate items from its stores and website, saying quote, we never want to offend anyone with the products we offer. nbc 10's coverage of the confederate flag controversy continues. all new this afternoon in our

. >>> the philadelphia church with ties to emanuel a.m.e. church in charleston will also reopen today for services. black bunting hangs inside mother bethel a.m.e. church in society hill. church leaders tell us they're making sure all worshipers are safe today. >>> we know we're in a neighborhood where anybody can walk through the doors. we have always taken it serious. i'm certain we'll pay more attention to it now. at the end of the day we don't want to let fear drive us. >> some houses of worship in our area are planning fund raises for the church in charleston. for a list visit nbc10.com. >>> the search for two escaped killers moved to the new york/pennsylvania border. someone spotted two men yesterday afternoon along train tracks near the town of friendship, new york. right now nearly 800 officers are searching the area for any sign of david sweat and richard matt. the duo used power tools to cut their way out of the clinton correctional facility in northern new york earlier this month. >>> love park in center city transformed into the all you

hundreds leave flowers at emanuel a.m.e. church. sunday's services are held as usual. you for joining us. i'm john henry smith, more news ahead. first, the emotional moments from the tragedy in charleston. [ ♪♪ ] o we woke up today and the heart and soul of south carolina was prone. i do believe this was a hate crime. the most disaseredly act that one could imagine. >> and we pray na charleston will never be the same because of the love of the community. parents have to explain to the kids how they can go to church and feel safe it's not something we thought we'd have to deal with. >>> racist manifesto revealed. the web site carrying photos of the man accused of the u.s. church shootings >>> i'm shiulie ghosh live from doha. al jazeera calling for the release of its journalist arrested in germany under a warrant issued by egypt >>> why some say the indian prime minister is bending over backgrounds for political gain >>> and the lucky escape for a british army stunt sky

one of the nine killed when a gunman opened fire at a bible study inside historic black emanuel a.m.e. church. he told thousands in attendance the gunman was blinded by hatred and could not see grace surrounding that bible study. leon: overseas now. french police say a man suspected of having ties to radicals attacked an american-owned gas factory. two were injured when people ran in triggering an explosion. a man found dead on the site. the victim ran a transportation company that the suspect once worked for. that suspect is now in custody. a gunman opened fire at a beach resort in tunisia today killing 37 people. witnesses say the man pulled an automatic rifle from an umbrella and began shooting europeans. police shot and killed the gunman. the worst attack of the kind in tunisia's history. maureen: americans are warned about possible terrorist threats around the fourth of july holiday. homeland security secretary jeh johnson says people should remain individual leapt and report anything suspicious. authorities will suggest security measures as needed. it does not specific any particular pl

maureen: the man charged in the shooting death of the emanuel a.m.e. church embraced the confederate flag as a symbol of white supremacy. is growing report to remove it from the ground of the capitol. nikki haley said she will move the effort to put the flag on a museum. >> whether it's a statehouse ground or the museum it will be part of south carolina. but this is a moment we can say that flag while an integral part of the past does not represent the future of the great state. >> while the flag was removed from the capitol dome in 2000 the governor cannot order it removedmoved from the capitol ground. the discussion of race in america and the place of the confederate flag is ongoing on the facebook page. just go to facebook.com to weigh in. >> new information in the freddie gray murder case. the judge set trial date for six baltimore city police officers in "grey's gray's death. he died from injuries that prosecutors say he sustained in an april april 12. the death led to rioting and protests around the country. coming up on "abc7 news at 6:00". why local p

has been a clash point since dylann roof gunned done clementa pinckney and others inside emanuel's a.m.e. church. he has been photographed with the flag. the governor want it taken down. the state legislature is set to debate the issue this summer. on the republican floor on tuesday, the flag was said that it must go. >> i'm proud to take a stand and no longer we silent. i'm proud to be on the right side of the history recording the removal of this symbol of risism and big ol rit -- racism and bigotry from the state house. let us not stop there. justice by halves is not justice. >> the only woman in the state senate says she's struggling with the issue but agrees with firman. >> i have a lot of issues with people that respect the confederate flag. to a lot of people it means a lot of things. those people are in my district to, and it means hate and slavery. >> republican senator lee bright is against removing the flag: mourners remember clementa pinckney as a compassionates man that tried to do right. the removal of this symbol could be his lasting leg assy. there are reports that dylann roof co

make sure reverend clementa pinkney and eight others gunned down during bible study at the emanuel a.m.e. church did not die in vain. >> for the families of the fallen, the nation shares in your grief. >> around the country and around the world, even in the midst of tragedy, something good can come out of it. >> reporter: it's that focus that silenced the divisive message of hate dylann roof hoped to deliver when he allegedly carried out the massacre. >> we have seen too many victories to let defeat have the last word. >> reporter: instead, the last word here comes from those most affected by the tragedy. the families of the victims and this grieving community who responded to the heartache with a dignity and grace that serves as a tribute to their faith and the nine pillars of this community, lost. the fire marshal tells us there were 5500 people at today's service, hundreds more watched a simulcast of the funeral at churches and community centers across the city. jay gray, nbc news, charleston. >> more fallout tonight from that south carolina church massacre. some merchandise with images of th

guards in is dylann roof's first purposes in court, suspected of killing nine mixers from the emanuel a.m.e. church in charleston in what is known as a hate crime. as the victims addressed him directly dylann roof showed no emotion. >> i forgive you. you hurt me. you hurt a lot of people. may god forgive you. and i forgive you. >> dylann roof was led away. >> it's a testament that those who spoke in court afterward forgiveness. they'll investigate whether this was an act of domestic terror. saying in a statement. this is what happened here was designed to inflict terror on the community. >> if that was the intent it hasn't worked. mother emanuel a the site of a city determined to heel together. >> this painful person came to this community with some crazy idea he would be able to divide and all he did was make us more united and love us other even more. >> reporter: the case against dylann roof is complex. he faces a raft of charges, including the murders of nine incident people and for that he could face the death penalty. >> we want him to have the death penalty, it's the worse case i and the cou

, in is dylann roof's first appearance in court, suspected of killing nine people from the emanuel a.m.e. church in charleston in what is known as a hate crime. as the victims addressed him directly, dylann roof showed no emotion. >> i forgive you. have mercy on your soul. you hurt me. you hurt a lot of people. may god forgive you. and i forgive you. >> reporter: the family members offered deeply emotional statements before dylann roof was led away. it's a testament to this community that those who spoke in court offered forgiveness. despite the loss of those close to them. the department of justice says they'll investigate whether this was an act of domestic terror. saying in a statement. this is what happened here, was designed to inflict terror on the community. if that was the intent, it hasn't worked. mother emanuel is the site of a city determined to heel together. >> this hateful person came to this community with some crazy idea he would be able to divide, and all he did was make us more united and love each other even more. >> reporter: the case against dylann roof is complex. he faces

hundreds of peep black and white filled the pews of emanuel a.m.e. church sunday. we have more on that. >> reporter: it was the fiery prayer for unity. >> someone wanted to divide the race black and white and brown but -- [indiscernible] >> reporter: thousands of people flooded into emanuel a.m.e. sanctuary while police searched bags and patrolled the grounds. >> no evil doer, no demon in hell or on earth. >> reporter: inside reverend goth delivered a sermon of remembrance and forgiveness but also of action. >> we're going to pursue justice. and we're going to be vigilant and we are going to hold our elected officials and others accountable to do the right thing. >> reporter: for almost two hours, friends, strangers, black and white consoled one another. >> we're not broken by any means. >> reporter: politicians mixed with parishioners. south carolina governor nikki haley, senator tim scott and joe riley joined the mourners. >> if that guy thought he was going to do something to divide races, it had the exact opposite effect. >> reporter: across charleston, church

michelle and i know several members of emanuel a.m.e. church. we knew their pastor reverend clementa pinckney, who gathered with prayer and fellowship and was murdered last night. and to say our thoughts and prayers are with them and their families and their community doesn't say enough to convey the heartache and the sadness and the anger that we feel. any death of this sort is a tragedy. any shooting involving multiple victims is a tragedy. there's something particularly heartbreaking about a death happening in a place in which we seek solace and we seek peace. in a place of worship. mother emanuel is in fact more than a church. this is a place of worship that was founded by african-americans seeking liberty. this is a church that was burned to the ground because its worshipers worked to end slavery. when there were laws banning all-black church gatherings, they conducted church in secret. when there was a nonviolent movement to bring our country closer in line with our highest ideals, some of our brightest leaders spoke and led marches from t

. >>> another victim of the murders at the emanuel a.m.e. churcharleston is being remembered, a memorial taking place for reverend daniel lee sem onward he was 74. a funeral service planned for thursday in colombia. he was one of in my opinion shot and killed at emanuel a.m.e. two weeks ago. >> 12 workers at a northern new york prison have been put on leaf -- leave over the escape of two inmates two members of the executive team nine staff. fellow escape richard mat was shot and killed by police on friday. >>> u.s.s. supreme court blocked a texas law creating strict standard for the state's abortion laws which would have forced two third of those clinics to close it woke. heidi zhou-castro has more. >> reporter: in the middle of our interview, inside a busy texas abortion clinic preparing to close wednesday. >> that's 40 patients that would be on a 2-week clinic >> reporter: came news of an order allowing this clinic and 18 others left in texas to stay open. >> i'm very excited. i'm trying to hold my tears in. i'm superexcited we are here and cap k

reverend pinckney was the pastor of emanuel a.m.e. church and a state senator. he was one of nine people shot during a gunman's rampage last week. police call it a hate crime and 21-year-old dylann roof is charged in those killings. >>> defense secretary ashton carter says he doesn't want to start another cold war but confirms the u.s. is sending heavy military equipment to russia's neighbors. the show of force in six countries is designed to prevent the type of assault russia launched in the ukraine. craig boswell has more. >> reporter: secretary of defense ash carter announced the u.s. is stepping up support nato allies in europe. >> we'll temporary stage one armiored brigade combat team's vehicles and associated equipment in countries in central and eastern europe. >> reporter: the u.s. will spread about 250 tanks, machine guns, armored vehicles and other military equipment across estonia, lithuania, poll lad, romania and bull glare jack the nato al -- bulgaria, the nato allies closest to russia. >> these are a response to russia's provocations. >> reporter:

leave you inside emanuel a.m.e. church as hundreds came together to pray today for the nine victims. >> baltimore's sandtown neighborhood. the heart of west baltimore, and one of the city's poorest areas. this is where freddie gray grew up -- known to friends as pepper. >> why was his nickname pepper? >> i never heard of pepper being bad for nobody, salt is bad for you, salt will kill you. i never heard nobody dying from pepper, everybody loves pepper. and he was dark skinned, so. >> brandon ross is freddie's god-brother. >> on april 12, reports say freddie was walking down the street when he made eye contact with officers -- and then ran. >> police chased gray and arrested him on the sidewalk here at the gilmor homes. >> where were you when he was arrested? >> right there with him. if you look at the original video that they shown, and you see the guy pointing, walking up, that's me. yeah, so i was there throughout the whole thing, seen the whole process. >> freddie was conscious when he was loaded into a paddy wagon. whe