Mark Wilson/NewsmakersThere is one important and obvious question lingering on the minds of a number of South Carolina residents—"Why is that confederate flag still up?"
People are outraged that Gov. Nikki Haley continues to let the controversial flag fly on the capitol grounds following the horrific and tragic church shooting that occurred just yesterday in Charleston, which claimed the lives of nine.
Haley, who was in tears during a news conference this morning on the mass shooting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, previously rejected the notion of removing the flag at a debate last year, saying it was a "sensitive issue" but that she didn't believe the flag presented an image problem for the state.
You'd think after yesterday's tragedy, that notion would have changed, but that doesn't seem to be the case. And people are pissed.
South Carolina is one of five states that still doesn't have a state hate crime law and recently celebrated "Confederate Memorial Day" this past May, during which a large Confederate flag was displayed on the steps of the South Carolina State Capitol.
Those who object flying the Confederate flag say it recalls the South's support for slavery during the Civil War, while supporters of the flag argue it's a symbol of southern heritage.
Police are calling yesterday's shooting a "hate crime," and earlier today, NBC News reported that Dylann Roof, a 21-year-old white man from Lexington, S.C., who opened fire inside the historically black church on Wednesday evening, was caught Thursday morning in Shelby, N.C.
The suspect killed six women and three men at the historically African-American church. Police say he joined a prayer meeting and was present for nearly an hour before he opened fired. Three people survived the massacre. "I do believe this was a hate crime," said Charleston Police Chief Gregory Mullen.
U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch said, "Even as we struggle to comprehend this heartbreaking event, I want everyone in Charleston and everyone affected by this tragedy that we will do everything in our power to heal this community and make it whole again."