"...massacre suspect CAPTURED:

Gunman who 'shot nine people dead' at historic South Carolina black church after telling them 'you're taking over our country' is taken into custody by cops

Dylann Roof opened fire at the historic Emanuel AME church in Charleston, South Carolina around 9pm on Wednesday, killing nine people - three male victims and six females
He fled from the scene but was caught in Shelby, North Carolina on Thursday morning after a member of the public called cops with a report of suspicious activity
It has emerged that Roof had entered the church around an hour before the shooting and had joined the bible study group before suddenly opening fire
He let one woman escape so she could tell the world what happened while a child survived by playing dead

It has been suggested that the shooting was timed to coincide with two large political rallies in the city, as just hours before Rev Pinckney met with Hillary Clinton as part of her presidential campaign and Jeb Bush was also due to visit Charleston today but his appearance has now been canceled.

In a statement, the Bush campaign said: 'Governor Bush's thoughts and prayers are with individuals and families affected by this tragedy.'

Meanwhile Hillary Clinton tweeted: 'Heartbreaking news from Charleston - my thoughts and prayers are with you all.'

Following the massacre, officers also investigated a possible bomb threat but several hours later gave the all-clear.

Shona Holmes, a bystander in the aftermath of the shooting, added: 'It's just hurtful to think that someone would come in and shoot people in a church. If you're not safe in church, where are you safe?'" TheTelegraph