9 dead in ‘hate crime’ shooting in Charleston

Tragedy struck as 9 people were reportedly killed after a gunman walked into a prayer meeting in an historic African American church in Charleston, South Carolina.

The suspect,who is  believed to be a 21-year-old white male, has not yet been caught.Police are labelling the shooting a hate crime.



South Carolina senator, Clementa Pinckney, a pastor at the church, is among the dead,according to local media.

The gunman opened fire at Emanuel AMEChurch. It is known to have one of the largest and oldest black congregations in the region.

A bomb threat was later reported near the scene of the church shooting. Following checks, authorities dismissed the threat.Police have surrounded the area.


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