Charleston South Carolina – Multiple people were shot and reportedly at least 8 people have died at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church on Calhoun Street in downtown Charleston.

A white man in his early 20’s entered the church and began shooting people about 9pm this evening during the churches Wednesday prayer service and bible study. The situation is still unfolding. The exact number of people with injuries is still unknown and the suspect is still at large.

The historical Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church(AME) is part of the first independent black denomination in the nation and is known, along with co-founder Denmark Vesey, for it’s role in a planned slave uprising. The slave uprising was scheduled to begin on June 16th of 1822, it is being speculated that this could possibly be tied into the motive of the attack.

Suspect is described as a clean shaven early 20’s white male of slender build, wearing a gray sweatshirt and blue Jeans.

Police are saying there is currently a bomb threat and people are being moved away from the area.

This article will be updated as events unfold and information becomes available.