Charleston Church Shooting Leaves 9 Bible Study Goers Dead, Including Pastor: Suspect, Dylann Roof

MStars News has learned that a white gunman opened fire during a bible study group at the historic predominantly black Emanuel AME Church on Calhoun Street in Charleston, South Carolina.

According to ABC, the suspect killed nine people on Wednesday night. The shooting and killings are being described as hate crimes. Among the dead, CNN reports, is the church's pastor and state senator Rev. Clementa Pinckney.

"The only reason someone would walk into a church and shoot people that were praying is hate," Charleston Mayor Joe Riley explained in a comment.

Police revealed that the gunman went to the church to attend the prayer meeting with members and worshipers for about an hour.

There's been one update in the last few minutes. MStars News has learned that the suspect has been identified as 21-year-old Dylann Roof.

According to The Daily Beast, Roof is from Lexington, South Carolina and told members of the church before he started shooting, "I have to do it. You're raping our women and taking over the country. You have to go."

Police revealed that the deceased included three males and six females. Their ages and names aren't known at this time.

Despite nine people being killed, there were three people who survived the shooting.

 Update on the Charleston SC church shooting #RIP

A photo posted by Baller Alert (@balleralert) on Jun 17, 2015 at 9:57pm PDT

One survivor claims that she was left alive so that she could tell people what happened inside the church shooting.

"This is a situation that is unacceptable in any society and especially in our society and our city," Charleston Police Chief Gregory Mullen said in a statement. "This is an extremely dangerous individual."

One historic fact about the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston is that Dr. Martin Luther King visited there. See a picture below.

Doctor King at the Charleston Church in South Carolina #RIP A photo posted by Baller Alert (@balleralert) on Jun 17, 2015 at 11:55pm PDT

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families.

A photo posted by Baller Alert (@balleralert) on Jun 17, 2015 at 10:34pm PDT