9 Killed in Charleston, S.C. Church Shooting

Nine people died in a shooting at an Historic African American Church in Charleston, S.C. Police are searching for a suspect.

Police say the shooting happened at around 9:05 pm during a prayer meeting. When officers arrived they found eight people dead. Another person died at the hospital.

"This is a tragedy that no community should have to experience it is senseless and is unfathomable that somebody in today’s society would walk into a church when people are having a prayer meeting and take their lives," Charleston Police Chief Greg Mullen said.

Police are looking for a 21 year old white male with a slender build. He may have been wearing a gray sweatshirt, blue jeans and boots.

It is being considered a hate crime.

Police are not releasing details about how many people were inside the church or if others were injured.

NBC News has confirmed South Carolina State Senator and Pastor of the church Clementa C. Pinckney is one of the victims.