An unknown gunman has killed 9 people at a historic black church in Charleston in the US state of South Carolina, officials say.
Eight of the victims were killed inside the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church on Thursday evening, while another person died shortly afterwards.
City police chief Gregory Mullen said they are searching for a white male suspect in his 20s.The suspect was described as a 21-year-old white man wearing a sweatshirt, jeans and boots, Charleston police said in a message on Twitter.
“I do believe it was a hate crime,” Mr Mullen said.
Police have described the gunman as “extremely dangerous”.
A police helicopter has been circling the area to track down the suspect at-large as the manhunt continues.
Local Mayor Joe Riley has been quoted as saying that the killing was senseless. ”It is unfathomable that somebody would walk into a church when people are having a prayer meeting and take their lives,”
“The only reason someone would walk into church and shoot people praying is hate,” he added.
