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| South Carolina church shooting: Nine die in Charleston 'hate crime' | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Nine people have died in a shooting at a historic African-American church in Charleston in the US state of South Carolina, officials say. | Nine people have died in a shooting at a historic African-American church in Charleston in the US state of South Carolina, officials say. |
| City police chief Gregory Mullen said eight of the victims were killed inside the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church on Wednesday evening, while another person died shortly afterwards. | City police chief Gregory Mullen said eight of the victims were killed inside the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church on Wednesday evening, while another person died shortly afterwards. |
| Police are now searching for a white male suspect in his 20s. | Police are now searching for a white male suspect in his 20s. |
| "I do believe it was a hate crime," Mr Mullen said. | "I do believe it was a hate crime," Mr Mullen said. |
| The church's pastor, state Senator Clementa Pinckney, was among those killed, civil rights activist the Rev Al Sharpton tweeted. | The church's pastor, state Senator Clementa Pinckney, was among those killed, civil rights activist the Rev Al Sharpton tweeted. |
| A prayer meeting was going on at the time of the shooting at about 21:00 local time on Wednesday (01:00 GMT Thursday) at the church on Calhoun Street. | |
| 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." |
| Speaking at a news briefing later, Mr Mullen said: "There were eight deceased individuals inside of the church. Two individuals were transported to [the hospital]. One of them has died. | Speaking at a news briefing later, Mr Mullen said: "There were eight deceased individuals inside of the church. Two individuals were transported to [the hospital]. One of them has died. |
| "At this point, we have nine victims in this hideous crime that has been committed. | "At this point, we have nine victims in this hideous crime that has been committed. |
| "It is unfathomable that somebody in today's society would walk into a church when people are having a prayer meeting and take their lives," Mr Mullen said. | "It is unfathomable that somebody in today's society would walk into a church when people are having a prayer meeting and take their lives," Mr Mullen said. |
| A woman who survived the shooting told her family the gunman said he was letting her live so she could report what happened, the Charleston Post and Courier reported. | |
| She said the gunman had sat in the church before standing and opening fire, according to an official from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). | |
| Charleston Mayor Joe Riley described the shooting as "the most unspeakable" tragedy. | Charleston Mayor Joe Riley described the shooting as "the most unspeakable" tragedy. |
| South Carolina Senator Tim Scott tweeted: "My heart is breaking for Charleston and South Carolina tonight." | South Carolina Senator Tim Scott tweeted: "My heart is breaking for Charleston and South Carolina tonight." |
| The Emanuel AME Church | The Emanuel AME Church |
| The campaign of US Republican presidential hopeful Jeb Bush cancelled an event planned in Charleston for Thursday due to the shooting. | The campaign of US Republican presidential hopeful Jeb Bush cancelled an event planned in Charleston for Thursday due to the shooting. |
| "Governor Bush's thoughts and prayers are with the individuals and families affected by this tragedy," his team said in a statement. | "Governor Bush's thoughts and prayers are with the individuals and families affected by this tragedy," his team said in a statement. |
| Helicopters were seen hovering above the area and a police chaplain was at the scene. | Helicopters were seen hovering above the area and a police chaplain was at the scene. |
| At one point police asked residents to move away because of reports of a bomb - but police later gave the all-clear. | At one point police asked residents to move away because of reports of a bomb - but police later gave the all-clear. |
| A group of worshippers was seen praying near the church. | A group of worshippers was seen praying near the church. |
| "We want some real answers now," one of the worshippers was heard saying. | "We want some real answers now," one of the worshippers was heard saying. |
| The attack comes two months after unarmed black man Walter Scott was shot and killed by a white police officer in North Charleston. | The attack comes two months after unarmed black man Walter Scott was shot and killed by a white police officer in North Charleston. |
| The shooting prompted angry protests and highlighted racial tension in the city. The officer has since been charged with murder. | The shooting prompted angry protests and highlighted racial tension in the city. The officer has since been charged with murder. |
| Charleston was also due to hold a ceremony on Thursday marking the eighth anniversary of another tragedy - the death of nine firefighters in a blaze at a furniture store in 2007. | Charleston was also due to hold a ceremony on Thursday marking the eighth anniversary of another tragedy - the death of nine firefighters in a blaze at a furniture store in 2007. |
| Are you in the area? Did you witness the incident? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experience. | Are you in the area? Did you witness the incident? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experience. |
| If you are willing to speak further to a BBC journalist, please include a contact telephone number. | If you are willing to speak further to a BBC journalist, please include a contact telephone number. |
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