A shooting at a bible study at a Charleston, S.C., church late Wednesday killed nine people, officials reported at a press conference.
Police have not yet commented on the shooting but continue to search for a suspect, who they describe as a young, slim white man.
Police chief Gregory Mullen said eight people were found dead at the scene and a ninth died at the hospital.
"It is senseless, it is unfathomable, that in today's society somebody would walk into a church, into a prayer meeting, and take lives," said Mullen, who added that he believes the attack was a hate crime.
The website of the Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church says it has one of the largest and oldest black congregations south of Baltimore.
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