Charleston shooter allegedly told survivor 'I have to do this'

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The gunman who killed nine people in a massacre at a Charleston, South Carolina church allegedly told a survivor, "I have to do this".

Speaking to NBC News, Sylvia Johnson, a cousin of church shooting victim Pastor Clementa Pinckney, said she spoke with one of the survivors, who said the shooter reloaded five times.

"And he just said 'I have to do it. You rape our women and you're taking over our country. And you have to go'", Ms Johnson siand

The shooter reportedly joined a bible study at Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church before opening fire on church-goers.