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Charleston Police confirm nine people were killed after shots were fired during a prayer meeting inside Emanuel AME Church on Calhoun Street around 9:05 p.m. Police Chief Greg Mullen said officers arrived to find eight people dead inside the church.
A ninth victim died later at a nearby hospital.
Elder James Johnson, President of the Charleston Chapter of the National Action News, said Pinckney was shot inside the church. Pinckney, 41, served as pastor for Emanuel AME in addition to his role as a state senator for District 45.
Family members of Rev. Pinckney say the gunman sat through an entire bible study before he began shooting church members. The suspect then fled the scene.
Police are searching for the suspect, who is described as a white male, 21 years old, slender/small build, gray sweat shirt, blue jeans and clean shaven. The suspect is considered armed and dangerous.
Mullen said the shooting occurred during a prayer meeting at the church. Authorities have not yet released the identities of the nine victims.
© Emanuel AMEClementa Pinckney served as pastor at Emanuel AME Church.
"This is clearly a tragedy in the City of Charleston," Mullen said."We are all praying and our hearts go out to the victims and their families as well as this entire community...When officers arrived they found a number of victims inside and we had also individuals who were transported to the MUSC emergency trauma center. As the investigation continued we were able to determine that there were eight deceased individuals inside of the church."
According to Mullen, two people were also transported to MUSC where one of them died.
"We have investigators that are out tracking, leads are coming in and we will continue to do that until we find this individual who carried out this crime tonight and bring him to justice," Mullen said. "This is a tragedy that no community should have to experience. It is senseless, 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."
"This is a most unspeakable and heartbreaking tragedy," said Mayor Joe Riley."People in prayer on Wednesday evening. A ritual of coming together, praying and worshiping god, and to have an awful person come in and shoot them is inexplicable. Obviously, the most intolerable and unbelievable act possible."
"The only reason someone could walk into a church and shoot people praying is out of hate, the only reason," Riley said. "It is the most dastardly act that one can possibly imagine, and we will bring that person to justice as soon as possible."
Mullen and Riley will hold a second media briefing at 7 a.m. at the Charleston Maritime Center, located at 10 Wharfside Dr.
A helicopter assisted law enforcement on the scene. Witnesses reported a big police presence was seen at the Emanuel AME Church on Calhoun Street. The FBI and the Chaplain service are also on the scene.
"We have all the resources that are available to us, not only locally but from the state as well as federal agencies," Mullen said. "We have resources that are being flown in right now from Washington, D.C. that will help us not only track leads but also work this investigation. And I can say that we will put all effort, we will put all resources and all of our energy in finding the individual who committed this crime tonight."
"The message to the community is that this is an opportunity for us all to unite because of a significant tragedy that has occurred," Mullen said.
Mullen said he can understand the anger and upset throughout the community, but he urged calm and unity to pray for the families and help police track down the person responsible.
"And what we need is for the community to look at this and say, 'We have had enough of this violence, and if we stand up together, we can stop this violence.' And that's what we need the community to do," he said.
Anyone with information about the shooting can call the Charleston Police tip line at (843) 529-3750.
A man matching the suspect's description who was initially arrested at the scene has been released.
The man, identified as local photographer Austin Rich, says he was released after being questioned by police officers.
Around 11:30 p.m., police began pushing media and bystanders across Meeting Street after officers say a bomb threat was reported in the area of the crime scene. Officials announced Thursday at 12:45 a.m. the bomb threat had been called off.
Police have recently published a picture of the alleged gunman.
An image of the alleged Charleston shooter as he entered the church
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