21-Year Old Opens Fire In US Church Killing Nine Last Night

Nine people have been shot to death at a historic black
church in Charleston, South Carolina, on Wednesday night.

Calling it “the worst night of my career,”
Charleston Police Chief Greg Mullen said a gunman entered the Emanuel African
Methodist Episcopal Church during a prayer meeting and opened fire. Eight
people were found dead at the scene. Two others were transported to a hospital,
where one later died, Mullen said.

The suspect, a white male around 21 years old, was still at
large. Mullen called on the public and the media to contact police with any
information they may have, stating a reward would be offered, with the amount
to be announced later today.

“I do believe this is a hate crime, 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. It is the most dastardly act that one
could possibly imagine, said the Police chief.

The suspect was described by authorities as being clean
shaven with sandy blond hair and a slender build, wearing a gray sweatshirt and
blue jeans with Timberland boots.

As police searched for the shooter, worshippers and other
members of the community gathered to mourn and pray.

The shootings took place around 9 p.m.