A white gunman opened fire Wednesday evening at a historic black church in downtown Charleston, S.C., America, before fleeing, the police said, and nine people were killed.
The Charleston Police Department said the shooting occurred at the Emanuel A.M.E. Church about 9 p.m.
Officials did not release information about possible victims. Chief Greg Mullen said the police believed it was a hate crime.
The police described the gunman as a clean-shaven white man about 21 years old who was wearing a gray sweatshirt, bluejeans and Timberland boots.
Worshippers gathered to pray near the church on Wednesday.
Around 10:45 p.m., police officers at the scene drew their weapons and later escorted a man in handcuffs, who appeared to match that description. But officials said later that they were still searching for the gunman.
Reporters said families of the possible victims were arriving at the scene.
A reporter at the scene late Wednesday said the police pushed back members of the news media after receiving a bomb threat.
Helicopters with searchlights circled overhead, and a group of pastors knelt and prayed across the street.
“The question is, ‘Why God?’,” a man wearing a shirt bearing the name of the Empowerment Missionary Baptist Church said during the prayer.
The church is one of America’s oldest black churches. The current pastor, the Rev. Clementa C. Pinckney, is also a state senator. It was not clear if he was at the church at the time of the shooting. The Gothic Revival-style church was built in 1891 and is considered a historically significant building, according to the National Park Service.
The congregation was formed after black members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the city broke away “over disputed burial ground,” according to the website of the National Park Service. In 1822, one of the church’s co-founders, Denmark Vesey, tried to foment a slave rebellion in Charleston, the church’s website says. The plot was foiled by authorities and 35 people were executed, including Mr. Vesey.
The church houses the oldest black congregation south of Baltimore, the Park Service said.
Gov. Nikki R. Haley said in a statement that she and her family are praying for the victims.
“While we do not yet know all of the details, we do know that we’ll never understand what motivates anyone to enter one of our places of worship and take the life of another,” the governor said. “Please join us in lifting up the victims and their families with our love and prayers.”
Late Wednesday, the campaign staff of Jeb Bush, who is seeking the Republican nomination for president, said he was canceling appearances planned for Thursday in Charleston because of the shooting. (NY Times)