Charleston hate crime: White man kills 9 Black Americans! (photos + videos)

Nine people were confirmed dead after a shooting at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal shooting in Charleston, South Carolina, on Wednesday. Police said several bodies were in the church that were now being identified. Among the dead was the state senator who was pastor of the church, Democrat Clementa Pinckney.

Police said that a clean-shaven slim white man in his 20s entered the church and open fired. The police said he was wearing a gray sweatshirt, blue jeans and boots. Police Chief Gregory Mullen said he believes that the shooting was a “hate crime”.

“This is inexplicable,” said Mayor Joe Riley during a press conference following the shooting. “It is the most intolerable and unbelievable act possible. The only reason someone could walk into a church and shoot people praying is out of hate.”

The historic church was built in 1816 when AfricanAmerican members formed their own congregation following a dispute over burial grounds. One of the church founders was implicated in a slave revolt plot. Though he wasn’t convicted the church was burnt and rebuilt in 1834.