Charleston is dealing with an active shooter situation in downtown and emergency crews have been dispatched to respond to the crisis. One shooting victim has been reported.
The Charleston Police Department, Charleston City Fire, and Charleston County EMS responded to the area of Virginia’s On King on Thursday, August 24 at 12:17 p.m.
Officers were able to get the victim out of the building. Standby medics then brought the victim to a local hospital. The current condition of the victim is unclear at this point.
The shooter has taken a few hostages in the building reported by local media to be occurring inside a restaurant. The suspect is being described as a disgruntled employee as told by Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg. He was quick to clarify that: “This is not an act of terrorism. This is not a hate crime. It’s a disgruntled employee who has come out on the scene of the employment.”
Tecklenburg assured, however, that: “We are ready for the situation, no matter what happens.”
King Street between Calhoun and Morris is blocked off to motorist and pedestrian traffic at this time because the incident is within the 400 block of King Street. Police are also asking the people to avoid the area.
SWAT teams, hostage negotiators, North Charleston authorities and Charleston County Sheriff’s deputies are also responding to the area.
Witnesses shared that they have seen cops draw guns. Snipers have also been on standby near a hotel building being built near the location of the incident. One witness told local media that she saw the police and SWAT team break down the restaurant’s door and enter with dogs and machine guns. It was believed to be the time when the police came out to carry the shooting victim outside.
CVC Pharmacy within the area has since been evacuated. The Charleston County Court House and The Macintosh are both currently on lock down.
This is a developing story.
Source:
http://counton2.com/2017/08/24/authorities-responding-to-situation-in-downtown-charleston/
