CHARLESTON, S.C. — Several anonymous letters have been reported to the Charleston Police Department over the past couple weeks threatening violent attacks. One letter specifically referencing Dylann Roof and the mass shooting that occurred at Emanuel AME Church in 2015.
Charleston Police and the FBI are investigating reported threats of racial violence.
With jury selection for Roof’s federal trial beginning on Monday, as well as the trial of former North Charleston officer Michael Slager, local law enforcement agencies have maintained a strong police presence in the downtown area.
A majority of the letters reported were received by hotels in downtown Charleston, and several specifically mention threats toward Muslim and Jewish people. According to reports filed by Charleston police, the messages are all handwritten and some appear to have been sent from Canada, sharing similar postage stamps.
While almost all of the letters sent to hotels within Charleston, James Island County Park also received a threatening handwritten letter, stating, “Who will I pay a large sum of money to carry out a massacre this time? Certainly a great investment if only for the entertainment purpose.”
On Thursday, Nov. 3, police were dispatched to Harbourview Inn in downtown Charleston, in reference to a threatening letter that had been received.
The letter stated “The lord’s wrath will soon be felt by the Jewish c****. There will be no escape when he is near. I am doing God’s work. Jews beware.”
At the bottom of the message there was an upside down cross. The letter was written on an envelope and placed into another envelope with no return address. The exterior envelope contained the hotel’s address and three Canadian stamps.
Also on Nov. 3, police received a call to Motel 6 in regards to a letter containing threats to members of different ethnic groups. The Motel 6 front office worker showed police the letter.
It said, “And for my next great work…well you choose. Burn a Mosque/Muslin, hang a Jew, skin a N****.” There was no return address on the letter. It was submitted to CPD for further investigation.
On Tuesday, Nov. 1, police responded to the Renaissance Charleston Historic District Hotel concerning a letter containing references to Dylann Roof.
“Every one of the 9 lives sacrificed by his greatness, Mr. Dylann S. Roof is one less I will need to sacrifice,” the letter said.
Police say below the statement, a pistol was drawn.
The letter was placed into Charleston Police Department evidence.
Also on November 1, the James Island County Park Manager found a letter addressed to the park saying “Who will I pay a large sum of money to carry out a massacre at this time? Certainly a great investment if only for entertainment purposes.”
The park manager said he had never received threats like this before. The letters have been taken to Charleston Police Department (CPD) headquarters.
Also on November 1, police were dispatched to The Meeting Street Inn regarding a suspicious letter. The suspect wrote the name of the Renaissance Charleston Historic District Hotel on the front of the envelope.
The letter said, “Muslin will die. Jew will die. N***** will die. Hispanic will die. Oh what the hell, kill all the non-white verman.”
Police received another letter from someone on Nov. 1 that stated: “Now here’s my plan: Travel to Charleston. l Stay in a hotel. Do what needs to be done?”
On Monday, Oct. 31, police were dispatched to the Charleston Place Hotel on Meeting Street, regarding a suspicious letter. The letter was placed inside an envelope, which was placed inside another envelope. According to police, there were three Canadian mail stamps on the envelope.
The letter inside said, “Bloodshed is coming. Your Jewish infestation will soon be no more. Hitler never went far enough. When I kill Jews, there are no exceptions.”
The letter was confiscated and submitted into evidence.
Also on Halloween, police responded to the King Charles Inn on Meeting Street.
This letter said, “Just a quick note to self: Get milk and bread, Drop off kids, Break into synagogue, slaughter all filth, Have a whiskey. Enjoy a good movie.
On Friday, Oct. 14, police responded to a call on Calhoun Street regarding suspicious letters that had been received in the mail. Police spoke with the victim and a witness who said they have received two letters from an unknown suspect, which were harassing in nature.
The letters were placed into evidence at Charleston Police Department Headquarters.