Here’s How You Can Help The Families Of The Charleston Church Massacre

Via TIME–

In the wake of the shooting at a historically black Charleston, S.C. church that left nine people dead Wednesday evening, the city is collecting money to support the victims’ families.

Charleston Mayor Joe Riley announced the Mother Emanuel Hope Fund Thursday and said the city has already pledged $5,000. The fund will help the victims’ relatives pay for funerals for their loved ones, counseling services and other needs as they heal from the tragedy.

The website for contributions to this fund is expected to be functioning by noon on Friday. Those wishing to contribute will also be able to do so at any Wells Fargo branch by specifying that they’d like to donate to the Mother Emanuel Hope Fund.

In the meantime, the fund will be accepting checks made out to “Mother Emanuel Hope Fund” at the following address:

Mother Emanuel Hope Fund

C/O City of Charleston

P.O. Box 304

Charleston, SC 29402

Charleston Church Shooter Confesses He “Wanted To Start A Race War”

Charleston, S.C., shooting suspect Dylann Storm Roof is escorted from the Cleveland County Courthouse in Shelby, N.C., Thursday, June 18, 2015. Roof is a suspect in the shooting of several people Wednesday night at the historic The Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston.
Via Associated Press

Accused Charleston church shooter Dylann Roof has confessed to shooting and killing nine people Wednesday night, CNN is reporting.

Officials told the cable news network that Roof told investigators that he wanted to start a race war when he opened fire at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Roof is white.

He told police that he bought the .45-caliber hangun used in the shootings, officials told CNN.

An official said earlier that Roof’s father bought him a Glock handgun for his birthday.  

Roof is scheduled for a bond hearing Friday afternoon.