A gunman opened fire on people attending Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal, a black church in Charleston, South Carolina on Wednesday evening. Nine people were killed as they attended the weekly bible studies group and one is in critical condition. The suspect is still at large - he is described as a clean-shaven, 21-year-old white male and is believed to be wearing a gray, hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans, and Timberland boots. According to the church's website, Emanuel AME Church - often referred to as 'Mother Emanuel' (right) - is the oldest AME church in the south and has one of the largest black congregations south of Baltimore, Maryland.
Killed: A gunman opened fire at the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal church in Charleston, South Carolina Wednesday night, killing nine people, and reports say a bomb threat was called in just hours later
Manhunt: A huge manhunt ensued with officers wearing bullet-proof vests and carrying guns; the gunman was still at large at 2am
Victims: Mullen said there are a number of victims, some have been moved to a hospital (here, Lisa Doctor joins a prayer circle down the street from the church'
Shooting: Police responded to the shooting around 9pm at the 150-year-old church and Charleston police chief Gregory Mullen said he believes the shooting was a hate crime
Pastor: Media reports said Rev. Clementa Pinckney (pictured), pastor of the church and South Carolina state senator is among the dead
A huge manhunt ensued with officers wearing bullet-proof vests and carrying guns. The gunman was still at large at 2am.
Eight of the victims died at the scene, and one later in a hospital. At least one injured person is being treated in a hospital.
Just hours after the shooting, as a heavy police presence remained in the area, a bomb threat was called in to the scene, NBC 12 reports.
Police immediately began pushing media and bystanders across the street. Mullen said later that the threat had been rescinded.
The suspect is described as a clean-shaven, 21-year-old white male and is believed to be wearing a gray, hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans, and Timberland boots.
Police were seen soon after taking a man matching the description into custody.
However, the man was released and the Charleston Police Department tweeted that the gunman was still at large.
Local pastor Thomas Dixon told CNN around 11.30pm that the scene was 'very bad.'
'Apparently the person just entered the church and opened fire. That part has not been fully articulated on what happened yet ... they are still looking for the suspect,' he said.
Bomb Threat: Just hours after the shooting, as a heavy police presence remained in the area, a bomb threat was called in to the scene, later Mullen said the threat had rescinded
Prayer Circle: Here, a group of several men are seen standing in a circle in front of a hotel near the church for an impromptu prayer service
Dixon also told NBC News that a bible study session is likely to have been going on at the time of the shooting. He said the church holds the sessions every Wednesday.
A heavy police presence remained outside the church and a helicopter was seen assisting law enforcement on the scene in the hours following the shooting, FOX reports.
At least six ambulances were seen in the area of the shooting.
According to the church's website, Emanuel AME Church -- often referred to as 'Mother Emanuel' -- is the oldest AME church in the south and has one of the largest black congregations south of Baltimore, Maryland.
The 150-year-old church played an important role in the state's history, including the slavery era and the Civil Rights movement.
Police are asking anyone with information about the shooting to call 911 dispatchers.
Jeb Bush, 2016 presidential candidate, cancelled a planned trip to South Carolina and the state legislature has post-poned a sitting planned for Thursday, The Guardian reports.
Suspect: The suspect is described as a clean-shaven, 21-year-old white male and is believed to be wearing a gray, hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans, and Timberland boots
Unspeakable: Charleston Mayor Joseph Riley (right) described the incident as an 'unspeakable tragedy' and said that the city will catch 'this awful person and bring him to justice as soon as possible'
Heartbreaking: Hillary Clinton tweeted to her millions of followers that news of the shooting was 'heartbreaking' and her 'thoughts and prayers' are with Charleston
Statement: South Carolina issued this statement describing the shooting as a 'senseless tragedy' and saying she and others will 'never understand what motivates anyone to enter one of our places of worship and take the life of another'
Custody: Police were seen soon after the shooting taking a man matching the description into custody but the man was released soon after and the Charleston Police Department tweeted that the gunman was still at large
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