‘Hate Crime’: 9 Shot and Killed At Black Church in Charleston, SC

*(Via NBC News) – A gunman remained at large Thursday morning after nine people were shot and killed in Charleston, South Carolina, during a Bible study session at one of the nation’s oldest and most prominent African-American churches, authorities said.

“This is a hate crime,” Charleston Police Chief Gregory Mullin said early Thursday.

Among the victims was the church’s pastor, the Rev. Clementa C. Pinckney, 42, a Democratic member of the state Senate since 2000, two sources told NBC News.

Charleston police spokesman Charles Francis described the suspect as a slender 21-year-old white man with sandy blond hair, wearing a gray sweatshirt or hoodie, jeans and Timberland boots. A reward will be offered Mullin said.

Francis said the shooting occurred about 9 p.m. ET at the Calhoun Street address of Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Read/learn MORE at NBC News.

Via Twitter: Civil Rights groups praying at corner of Calhoun and King Streets:

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