Charleston shooter reportedly sat through prayer meeting with victims before opening fire

The young white gunman who allegedly murdered at least nine people at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina, sat through almost an hour of bible study with the church's pastor, Rev. Clementa Pinckney, and other participants before shooting them, Charleston Police Chief Greg Mullen said Thursday morning. Along with Pinckney, two other men and six women were killed, and there are three survivors. He said the victims won't be identified until the families are notified.

"We don't know where this individual is," Mullen said, but federal, state, and local law enforcement are searching vigorously. "This is an all hands on deck effort with the community as well as law enforcement," Mullen said. People who know anything about the suspect should call the police and not approach him. "This is an unfathomable and unspeakable act by somebody filled with hate and with a deranged mind," said Charleston Mayor Joe Riley, who vowed to bring him to justice.

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.