At a 3 p.m. press conference, Charleston County Coroner Rae Wooten offered to answer “simple” questions about the horrific #CharlestonShooting, noting that the investigation is ongoing and complex and the process is going to be fairly lengthy. She noted that all victims died of gunshot wounds, but part of the process would be performing individual autopsies on all victims.
She also shared some of her personal thoughts on the massacre.
Coroner: Thought it was a prank when I got the call. Memories of Charleston 9, firefighters killed in fire, came rushing back #chsnews
— William Joy (@WilliamKMBC) June 18, 2015
Coroner: Our job is to help these families so at some point they can step back into life and smile again #chsnews
— William Joy (@WilliamKMBC) June 18, 2015
Coroner says they all suffered gunshot wounds and died. No details on memorial services. Families in shock.
— Matt Alba (@mattalbamedia) June 18, 2015
"Fair to say that some victims suffered multiple gunshot wounds." #CharlestionShooting #CharlestonCoronerPresser
— Matt Alba (@mattalbamedia) June 18, 2015
Coroner says, for her staff, this brought back horrific memories of the "Charleston 9" firefighter accident.
— Matt Alba (@mattalbamedia) June 18, 2015
Coroner says we will go on and on with these families for days and weeks and months with the families. Started autopsies today.
— Matt Alba (@mattalbamedia) June 18, 2015
Coroner says they began autopsies today and will take a few days. "This is very complex. 9 bodies to be done at once."
— Matt Alba (@mattalbamedia) June 18, 2015
LIVE STREAM: Coroner – 'Process going to be fairly lengthy' http://t.co/Y8YqgaN0MC #chsnews #CharlestonShooting pic.twitter.com/6IDGIDrSS2
— Live5News (@Live5News) June 18, 2015
Coroner Rae Wooten about to release all names of 9 church shooting victims. pic.twitter.com/NgT8bMkadY
— Matt Alba (@mattalbamedia) June 18, 2015
Charleston county coroner: victims of shooting were ages 26-87, include librarian, legislator, pastors, coach. #CharlestonShooting
— Kelly Bazzle (@KellyBazzle) June 18, 2015
The names of those who died in the #CharlestonShooting #chsnews pic.twitter.com/63tXLP4Tu6
— Melissa Boughton (@mel_bough) June 18, 2015
Many residents have already begun setting up their own memorials to those killed.
Cross placed at the entrance to the track and football field for Singleton. #chsnews pic.twitter.com/MlrTroQvak
— Karina Bolster (@KarinaNBC12) June 18, 2015
Memorial for Coach Singleton at Goose Creek HS pic.twitter.com/rMIt5CgoKZ
— Scott Eisberg (@SEisbergWCIV) June 18, 2015
From this day forward, Saint Andrews library will be known as Cynthia Hurd Library, fitting Chairman says of her work #chsnews
— Melissa Boughton (@mel_bough) June 18, 2015
Summey says one of the victims, Cynthia Hurd, served as a librarian at St. Andrew's County Library. They will name the library after her.
— Matt Alba (@mattalbamedia) June 18, 2015
#CharlestonShooting: Librarian Cynthia Hurd dedicated her life to books, educating others. http://t.co/afQLcaheVn pic.twitter.com/SyGOkSpFsJ
— The Post and Courier (@postandcourier) June 18, 2015
Unbelievably, the press conference ended with reporters being rushed out of the Charleston County Building due to an unspecified threat.
BREAKING: Alarms going off, Summey says "we've had a threat in the building." #chsnews #CharlestonShooting
— Melissa Boughton (@mel_bough) June 18, 2015
And now there's a bomb threat on the coroners press conference. Media and staff being cleared as alarms blare
— Nick Corasaniti (@NYTnickc) June 18, 2015
There's a threat at Chas council headquarters and we're being evacuated #chsnews
— William Joy (@WilliamKMBC) June 18, 2015
Everyone in the building is evacuating as alarms are still sounding #chsnews #CharlestonShooting
— Melissa Boughton (@mel_bough) June 18, 2015
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