# Charleston, SC church shooting **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 18, 2015, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charleston-sc-church-shooting/722823 "2015-06-18T04:15:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![wevets](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9a140/32.png) [@wevets](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wevets)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charleston-sc-church-shooting/722823/21 "2015-06-18T12:45:19Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > It might turn out that the shooter was looking for the AMC theatre rather than the AME church. The shooter attended a meeting at the church for almost an hour before opening fire [http://bigstory.ap.org/article/64d056ca77824bcd9c6da1d8870ac551/police-chief-suspect-attended-church-meeting-stayed-nearly](http://bigstory.ap.org/article/64d056ca77824bcd9c6da1d8870ac551/police-chief-suspect-attended-church-meeting-stayed-nearly) ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charleston-sc-church-shooting/722823/22 "2015-06-18T12:49:46Z")
Assuming that the gunman did nothing to hide his identity, that haircut has to be a dead giveaway. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charleston-sc-church-shooting/722823/23 "2015-06-18T12:57:44Z")
I was wondering if that was a hat or a haircut. I couldn’t tell. My eyesight is getting terrible. I can’t find a cite, but I think I heard this morning that he made some sort of statement that supports this being a hate crime. Something like “You rape all our women.” I was only half listening, so it’s possible I misheard. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charleston-sc-church-shooting/722823/24 "2015-06-18T13:00:51Z")
Terrible, news. A horrible act by a deeply twisted individual. My sympathies go out to the victim’s families. They need our support right now and personal space to reflect and heal. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charleston-sc-church-shooting/722823/25 "2015-06-18T13:02:21Z")
After seeing that photo, they’ll catch him. What’s up with that haircut- does he go to Howard Walowitz’s barber? Somebody will recognize him and he’ll be in custody very soon. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charleston-sc-church-shooting/722823/26 "2015-06-18T13:10:06Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > Images of the perpetrator taken from surveillance footage have been released. The authorities are saying they have images of the car used to get away and that the car had unique vanity plates. I imagine this will help identify him and make getting him in custody easier. Hopefully he won’t be able to harm anyone else before that happens. Reports that the vanity plates read “K1LLR” are so far unsubstantiated. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charleston-sc-church-shooting/722823/27 "2015-06-18T13:10:31Z")
> [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > Assuming that the gunman did nothing to hide his identity, that haircut has to be a dead giveaway. No shit. Mother fucker looks like a cross between [Lloyd Christmas](http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/04/05/05/274B391C00000578-3026106-image-m-21_1428208324662.jpg) and [Anton Chigur](http://cdn.miramax.com/media/_versions/villain-FEAT_square_md.jpg). I’ll be shocked if it turns out this act wasn’t at least 20% racially motivated with the other 80% being due to bat shit insanity. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charleston-sc-church-shooting/722823/28 "2015-06-18T13:11:49Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > I really hate that this is already being labeled a “hate crime.” Perhaps there is a racial motivation, but there’s no need to toss gasoline onto the racial tension fire less than 24 hours after the incident. It might turn out that the shooter was looking for the AMC theatre rather than the AME church. Yes, definitely. When he said “I have to do it. You rape our women and you’re taking over our country. And you have to go” he was complaining about Hollywood values I’m sure. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charleston-sc-church-shooting/722823/29 "2015-06-18T13:15:30Z")
> [@Lord\_Feldon](#): > > Yes, definitely. When he said “I have to do it. You rape our women and you’re taking over our country. And you have to go” he was complaining about Hollywood values I’m sure. If he said that, then yes, it wasn’t an overreaction to call it a hate crime. Those words weren’t in any of the news stories I read this morning. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charleston-sc-church-shooting/722823/30 "2015-06-18T13:27:50Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Terrible, news. A horrible act by a deeply twisted individual. Who, until a minute earlier, had been a law-abiding citizen exercising his constitutional rights. It isn’t just another isolated incident, not if there’s a steady stream of them. ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charleston-sc-church-shooting/722823/31 "2015-06-18T13:30:56Z")
A terrible tragedy, to be sure. But why heap gasoline on a fire? Wait until all the facts are in, and the suspect is apprehended. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charleston-sc-church-shooting/722823/32 "2015-06-18T13:43:30Z")
Another domestic terrorist, like the Tsarnaev brothers. Whatever twisted ideology prompted him to lash out against this congregation, I hope the manhunt corners him soon before he can kill again. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charleston-sc-church-shooting/722823/33 "2015-06-18T13:49:35Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > It’s unfortunate that the gun lovers have to immediately jump in with their standard comments. Who the fuck are you talking about? Me? What about my post is “standard comments”? It almost has nothing to do with guns at all and it’s a moral condemnation of people who willingly give infamy to those who kill to seek infamy. You’re the one here attempting to politicize the issue. And it’s dumb even at that - “gun lovers” don’t come into discussions about shootings to promote gun rights, why would anyone do that? They inevitably have to defend against the other side who sees particularly sensational incidents that are statistically insignificant as an opportunity to use emotional appeals to push their agenda. You’re the only one in this thread displaying the standard politicization of a tragedy, in a hypocritical post that you’re completely oblivious to decrying that very action. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charleston-sc-church-shooting/722823/34 "2015-06-18T13:54:48Z")
> [@The\_Hamster\_King](#): > > Another domestic terrorist, like the Tsarnaev brothers. Whatever twisted ideology prompted him to lash out against this congregation, I hope the manhunt corners him soon before he can kill again. Excuse me? The Tsarvaev brothers were RUSSIANS, in this country on expired student visas. The only domestic terrorist was Timothy McVeigh, and his motives were political, not religious. Who would go into a church and start shooting. Ask pro-lifer Scott Roeder. ---
**Author:** ![storyteller0910](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecae2f/32.png) [@storyteller0910](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/storyteller0910)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charleston-sc-church-shooting/722823/35 "2015-06-18T14:01:24Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > Who the fuck are you talking about? Me? What about my post is “standard comments”? It almost has nothing to do with guns at all and it’s a moral condemnation of people who willingly give infamy to those who kill to seek infamy. > > You’re the one here attempting to politicize the issue. And it’s dumb even at that - “gun lovers” don’t come into discussions about shootings to promote gun rights, why would anyone do that? They inevitably have to defend against the other side who sees particularly sensational incidents that are statistically insignificant as an opportunity to use emotional appeals to push their agenda. > > You’re the only one in this thread displaying the standard politicization of a tragedy, in a hypocritical post that you’re completely oblivious to decrying that very action. You literally were the first person to bring up gun rights in this thread. You did it in the seventh post. Unprompted and in response to absolutely no one, you said: > [@](#): > > Mass shootings are apparently very satisfying things for people to make a big show out of showing sympathy over. They come with a perk - you get to chastise all of those evil stupid gun owners for enabling this tragedy to happen. Why does this tragedy trump a thousand other tragedies that happened today? Because you don’t get to say “I told you so” at the end of those. No one had said a word about evil stupid gun owners and no one had said “I told you so.” I am not unsympathetic to your position, but you engaged in pre-emptive political debate and don’t get to claim that someone else politicized the thread. ---
**Author:** ![Dibbs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/da6949/32.png) [@Dibbs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dibbs)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charleston-sc-church-shooting/722823/36 "2015-06-18T14:08:58Z")
I suspect they’ll find him soon, dead with a self inflicted. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charleston-sc-church-shooting/722823/37 "2015-06-18T14:12:48Z")
> [@storyteller0910](#): > > I am not unsympathetic to your position, but you engaged in pre-emptive political debate and don’t get to claim that someone else politicized the thread. I understand what you’re saying, but I don’t think I advocated for any position on any pro or anti-gun scale. Rather, my entire post was about why it’s morally questionable to be obsessed with these specific tragedies over all others that we could choose to focus on, and I speculated about the motivation of the people who do so. Why we focus on these tragedies, and how perverse it is, is the core of my post. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charleston-sc-church-shooting/722823/38 "2015-06-18T14:15:09Z")
I’ve found that Wed evening services have fewer people attending. Thats been at the dozen or so churches I’ve attended or visited since childhood. My wife and I have gone on Wed but life often gets in the way. Its hard during the week to attend church. This could have been so much worse on Sunday morning. Services are so packed with people that my church offers 2 services every Sun morning to fit people in. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charleston-sc-church-shooting/722823/39 "2015-06-18T14:27:46Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > A terrible tragedy, to be sure. But why heap gasoline on a fire? Wait until all the facts are in, and the suspect is apprehended. [A name has been provided for the suspect](http://www.live5news.com/story/29347341/police-identify-suspect-in-fatal-mass-shooting-at-charleston-church), someone who apparently had had previous runs-in with the Law. ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charleston-sc-church-shooting/722823/40 "2015-06-18T14:44:09Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > Excuse me? The Tsarvaev brothers were RUSSIANS, in this country on expired student visas. Dzhokhar was a naturalized citizen. Tamerlane had applied for citizenship, but it was held up. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charleston-sc-church-shooting/722823.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charleston-sc-church-shooting/722823.md?page=3)