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Shooting at South Carolina church Shooting at South Carolina historic church
(35 minutes later)
A shooting has been reported at a historic black church in the city of Charleston in South Carolina. A shooting has been reported at a historic black church in Charleston in the US state of South Carolina, with multiple casualties feared.
The incident happened on Thursday evening at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church. US media said the incident happened on Thursday evening at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Charleston police later tweeted that they were searching for a white male suspect in his 20s after the shooting at 110 Calhoun Street.Charleston police later tweeted that they were searching for a white male suspect in his 20s after the shooting at 110 Calhoun Street.
There was no immediate information on casualties. Local media reported that a coroner had arrived at the scene. Local media reported that a coroner had arrived at the scene.
Unconfirmed media reports say there may have been multiple fatalities.
A meeting was going on at the time of the shooting at about 21:00 local time (01:00 GMT Thursday), US media say.A meeting was going on at the time of the shooting at about 21:00 local time (01:00 GMT Thursday), US media say.
In a tweet, Charleston police wrote: "Suspect in shooting on Calhoun St is a w/m approx 21 slender small build wearing a grey sweat shirt blue jeans timberland boots clean shaven."In a tweet, Charleston police wrote: "Suspect in shooting on Calhoun St is a w/m approx 21 slender small build wearing a grey sweat shirt blue jeans timberland boots clean shaven."
A man was later seen being led away by police officers, but it was unclear whether he was the suspected gunman.A man was later seen being led away by police officers, but it was unclear whether he was the suspected gunman.
Helicopters were seen hovering above the area.Helicopters were seen hovering above the area.
The Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church is one of the oldest in the US. "I will say that this is an unspeakable and heartbreaking tragedy in this most historic church," Charleston Mayor Joe Riley was quoted as saying by the Post and Courier newspaper.
A group of worshippers was later seen praying near the church.
"We want some real answers now," one of the worshippers was heard saying.
The 19th Century Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church is one of the oldest in the US.
Denmark Vesey - one of the church's founders - was a leader of a failed slave revolt in 1822.