US church shooting: Nine killed in Charleston 'hate crime'

Media captionCharleston police chief Greg Mullen: "It will be investigated as a hate crime"

Nine people have died in a shooting at a historic African-American church in Charleston in the US state of South Carolina, officials say.

City police chief Gregory Mullen said eight of the victims were killed inside the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church on Thursday evening, while another person died shortly afterwards.

Police are now searching for a white male suspect in his 20s.

"I do believe it was a hate crime," Mr Mullen said.

The church's pastor, state Senator Clementa Pinckney, was among those killed, civil rights activist the Rev Al Sharpton tweeted.

Media captionCommunity leaders called for people to come together, but said answers were needed

Police say they are searching for a white male suspect in his 20s

A group of worshippers later gathered nearby to pray

A meeting was going on at the time of the shooting at about 21:00 local time on Wednesday (01:00 GMT Thursday) at the church on Calhoun Street.

In a tweet, Charleston police wrote:"Suspect in shooting on Calhoun St is a w/m approx 21 slender small build wearing a grey sweat shirt blue jeans timberland boots clean shaven."

Speaking at a news briefing later, Mr Mullen said: "There were eight deceased individuals inside of the church. Two individuals were transported to [the hospital]. One of them has died.

"At this point, we have nine victims in this hideous crime that has been committed.

"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," Mr Mullen said.

Charleston Mayor Joe Riley described the shooting as "the most unspeakable" tragedy.

South Carolina Senator Tim Scott tweeted: "My heart is breaking for Charleston and South Carolina tonight."

The Emanuel AME Church

• Oldest African Methodist Episcopal (AME) church in US south
• Referred to as "Mother Emanuel"
• Gothic Revival-style church built in 1891
• Replaced 1872 church damaged by 1886 earthquake
• Houses oldest African-American congregation south of Baltimore, Maryland
• Roots stem from group of free blacks and slaves in 1791
• Civil rights leader Martin Luther King gave a speech at the church in April 1962

The campaign of US Republican presidential hopeful Jeb Bush cancelled an event planned in Charleston for Thursday due to the shooting.

"Governor Bush's thoughts and prayers are with the individuals and families affected by this tragedy," his team said in a statement.

Helicopters were seen hovering above the area and a police chaplain was at the scene.