BREAKING NEWS>>>>>HATE CRIME : WHITE MALE MURDERED 9 BLACKS IN A CHURCH DURING PRAYER MEETING in SOUTH CAROLINA: Shooting At Charleston Church Prompts Large Police Response...Rev. Clementa Pinckney is dead

The Huffington Post  |  By Kelly Chen Email Posted: 06/17/2015 10:34 pm EDT
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Nine people were killed in a shooting at the Emmanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, on Wednesday night, the Charleston Police Department confirmed at news conference early Thursday.

Calling it "the worst night of my career," Charleston Police Chief Greg Mullen said a gunman entered the church during a prayer meeting and opened fire. Eight were found dead at the scene, while two others were transported to a hospital where one later died.

None of the victims have been named publicly.

Mullen said there were others who survived the attack but did not offer details.

The suspect, a 21-year-old male with sandy blonde hair, is still at large and Mullen called on the public and the media to contact police with any information they may have. Mullen said a reward would be offered, with the amount to be announced on Thursday.

"I do believe this is a hate crime," Mullen said. "It will be investigated as a hate crime."

“The only reason someone could walk into a church and shoot people praying is out of hate,” said Charleston Mayor Joe Riley, speaking at the same news conference. “It is the most dastardly act that one could possibly imagine.”

The historically black church, commonly referred to as "Mother Emanuel," has been around for hundreds of years. According to the church's website, Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church has "one of the largest and oldest black congregations south of Baltimore, Maryland." One of the church's founding members, Denmark Vesey, organized a slave uprising that started in 1821.

The church is led by Rev. Clementa Pinckney, who also serves as a South Carolinastate senator.

The church holds Bible study every Wednesday, reports Fox40. According to News2, the alleged shooter reportedly began shooting during the prayer service.

Earlier a young man was apprehended, but he was later released. People from the scene posted on social media expressing doubts of his involvement. Police confirmed the shooter is still at large.

Around 11 p.m. police began pushing media across the street to the Marriott Hotel where a possible bomb threat was reported. more