Social media reports are indicating that a man entered a black church in South Carolina and shot and killed as many as eight people.
In #Charleston, local TV is reporting State Sen. Clementa Pinckney, reverend at the Emanuel AME Church, and his sister, have both been shot.
— Samuel Oakford (@samueloakford) June 18, 2015
Horrifying:
A woman told me a 5-year-old girl was in the church and hid from the shooter. Not confirmed by police. Woman said she was covered in blood.
— Matt Alba (@mattalbaPHL17) June 18, 2015
Multiple casualties in downtown Charleston, S.C. Hearing several possible fatalities due to a shooting near Emmanuel AME Church. #chsnews
— The Media Man (@CharlestonBrian) June 18, 2015
Scene in downtown Charleston in front of Emmanuel AME Church. #chsnews #CHSShooting https://t.co/MilSdom7HK
— Dave Williams (@LCWxDave) June 18, 2015
Big scene for reported shooting at Emmanuel AME Church on Calhoun St. EMS, CPD and Chas Co Sheriff's office #chsnews pic.twitter.com/qFau4qlTeH
— William Joy (@WilliamWAVE3) June 18, 2015
It looks like family and friends of victims are gathering at the Courtyard hotel near Emmanuel AME Church. #chsnews #CHSShooting
— Dave Williams (@LCWxDave) June 18, 2015
Reports of mass shooting at Emmanuel AME Church in Charleston. Up to 8 dead. #CharlestonShooting pic.twitter.com/wu8xBQSTnF
— Bizz_Facts (@ymtreb) June 18, 2015
Emmanuel Church is the oldest AME church in the south. #chsnews #CHSShooting
— Dave Williams (@LCWxDave) June 18, 2015
Tonight's shooting apparently took place at Emmanuel AME church. The pastor is State Senator Clementa Pinckney. Praying for those involved.
— Tyler Jones (@TylerMJones) June 18, 2015
This man was apprehended early on, but it appears he wasn’t involved:
https://twitter.com/MichaelCBender/status/611365274172948480
Police responding to reported shooting near Emmanuel AME Church in downtown Charleston.
Photo: WCSC pic.twitter.com/O1Me5GFSeO— WFMY News 2 (@WFMY) June 18, 2015
BREAKING: CPD confirms shooting at Emmanuel AME church. Looking for suspect. No description yet. Briefing soon. #chsnews
— William Joy (@WilliamWAVE3) June 18, 2015
Pray for those at Emmanuel AME here in Charleston as a man went into the church and shot at least 8 individuals.
— boydii.j (@j_boyd_ii) June 18, 2015
BREAKING FOX24 #Charleston: eight people are assumed dead. Suspect entered the Emmanuel AME Church and began to shoot.
— Joe Bruno (@JoeBrunoWSOC9) June 18, 2015
Suspect is a white male maybe 21 years of age. pic.twitter.com/th9ZgMSHcB
— Matt Alba (@mattalbaPHL17) June 18, 2015
I'm in downtown #Charleston. There's a helicopter circling overhead, searching the area with a spotlight. @WFMY pic.twitter.com/3Myw7zKgma
— Patrick Wright (@ptwright) June 18, 2015
Breaking: Suspect IS still at large. Police looking for him now with help of helicopter. Shooting at Emmanuel AME Church on Calhoun St.#WLTX
— Andrea Mock WLTX (@AndreaMockWLTX) June 18, 2015
https://twitter.com/postandcourier/status/611361930457018368
Former pastor of Emmanuel AME church speaking live on the phone now @Live5News. Says he's shocked something like this happened. #chsnews
— Karina Bolster (@KRBolster) June 18, 2015
RT@ptwright We've been told not to leave our restaurant here in #Charleston for the time being. Helicopter still circling above.
— WFMY News 2 (@WFMY) June 18, 2015
Emmanuel AME Church is the oldest AME church in the south. Often refereed to as "Mother Emmanuel." #Charleston #churchshooting.
— Fox23 JJ Burton (@Fox23JonBurton) June 18, 2015
Prayer circle in downtown Charleston.
Credit: @WilliamLive5 http://t.co/Vq9x6jlmAf pic.twitter.com/aJTWKFmYkF— WFMY News 2 (@WFMY) June 18, 2015
We're hearing 9 are dead. @WCBD #prayforcharleston
— Matt Alba (@mattalbaPHL17) June 18, 2015
More info as it comes available. [Tweets added after first publication.]
UPDATE
Officials say multiple people are wounded after a shooting inside a Calhoun Street church.
The shooting happened about 9 p.m. at 110 Calhoun Street, according to Charleston police.The suspect is described as a clean-shaven white male, about 21 years old. He was wearing a gray sweatshirt or hoodie, blue jeans and Timberland boots, Charleston police spokesman Charles Francis said.
Heavily-armed police have surrounded the area around as they search for the suspect.
The FBI, State Law Enforcement Division, the coroner’s office and multiple police agencies are on the scene.
Police took a local photographer wearing a backpack into custody but said they were still searching for a suspect.
Watch our report live here.