Authorities have named Dylann Storm Roof, 21, as a suspect in the Charleston church shooting that claimed the lives of nine people and is being described by officials as a hate crime.
A FBI spokeswoman has identified the suspect as Roof, of Eastover, SC, reports The Post and Courier.
Roof is described as a white male, early 20s, slender build, bowl cut hair, clean shaven, wearing blue jeans and driving a black sedan.
According to WIS, Roof is believed to be driving a black Hyundai Elantra with South Carolina tag LGF-330.
The suspect opened fired in Emanuel AME Church around 9PM Wednesday night. The historic black church was hosting a Bible study at the time of the shooting.
Roof reportedly received a .45-caliber handgun in April, according to his uncle, Carson Cowles.
It was a birthday gift.
The church’s pastor, Rev. Clementa Pinckney, who also serves as a state senator, has been named as one of the victims. Six females and three males were killed.
“This is an unfathomable and an unspeakable act by somebody filled with hate and with a deranged mind … this person is dangerous,” Charleston Mayor Joe Riley Jr. said during a press conference Thursday morning.
Roof was most recently arrested in March in Lexington County on drug charges, reports WIS.
Roof is considered armed and dangerous.