ashley killough on the phone with us. ashley, what can you tell us about the shooting itself? how many details at this point are known? what are witnesses saying? >> reporter: very little details that are known. we know the police officers received the phone call around 9:05 p.m. eastern time. typical. a lot of churches meet wednesday night. especially in the south. people were gathered for bible study tonight when it happened. we don't know exactly what happened at the time. we know there were some survivors. we don't know how many and what their conditions are at the moment. we were only told there were eight fatalities at the scene and one person passed away later at the hospital. >> reporter for "the washington post" told us earlier that sources told him this did not happen in the sanctuary, but in the conference room. the prayer service would likely happen in a meeting room off the main sanctuary. what do we know about how many people were there and survivors? >> reporter: they are not being specific on the number of survivors. the last time we heard from them was a coupl

ashley killough is still with us. describe the police presence you are seeing. >> reporter: yes, they had a few of the streets around the church closed off for much of the past several hours. they are starting to open up those streets now. one of the reasons why the streets were closed earlier is because there was a bomb threat for a few hours. that has gone away. they are no longer concerned about that. it has been mentioned, the suspect is still out there. they are concerned about the area. >> let's talk a little bit about what the families are saying and the people who are parishioners at the church are saying. i want to listen to the mayor describe the meeting with the families. let's listen to that. >> we just left speaking with members of the family. a heartbreaking scene i have never witnessed in my life before. i told them that this community sends forth their love to them and that we are all in this together in the community to help those who have lost the loved one get through this time and give them our lov

. >> let's go live to charleston and bring in producer ashley killough. we know it is 7:00 a.m. when the next briefing will happen by officials. bring us up to speed on what you are seeing there now, ashley. >> reporter: christine, the latest we have heard was about an hour ago. the charleston police department said they are still looking for the suspect. there haven't been any updates overnight as to his whereabouts or where they are conducting the search. we hope to get more information in the press conference in a couple of hours. we hope to find out more information. >> the suspect is described as a white male around 21 years old wearing blue jeans and gray sweatshirt and timberland boots. the authorities describe this as a hate crime. let's listen. >> do you believe this was a hate crime. >> i do believe this is a hate crime? >> is this why the fbi is here? >> the fbi would be here regardless because of the side and scope of the investigation. they are here for that specific person. >> the only reason someone could walk in to church and shoot people praying is out of hate. t

. >> ashley killough please stand by as we wait for this news conference. congressman mac was on the scene tonight in charleston and is stressing the importance of community unity. let's listen to what he had to say. >> we need more people involved. we need better relationships with law enforcement we need to crackdown on crime, all crime. we need neighborhood associations to come together and be real communities again. >> if you are just joining us here on cnn, we are following a breaking and developing situation in charleston, south carolina. what has already been a frightening evening for so many people. looking at live pictures. one of the many prayer circles that have emerged in the wake of what appears to have been a mass shooting at a predominantly black church in the city. at this early stage, all we know is there are multiple fatalities and the suspect is still at large. >> understandably, people are upset. they don't have very much information at this point. they know there was a shooting. there are fatalities. we don't have any numbers on that. f

ashley killough cnn producer there in charleston. >> thank you for that ashley. it is unfathomable and that's the reaction we are seeing from officials, from locals. they are just shocked at a regular prayer meeting a shooter for any reason would head inside and the death toll is up to nine. a charleston clergy member spoke out after the shooting. of course appalled by what's taken place. listen to this. >> what we hear now, there was a caucasian, white man walk no an african-american church and open prayer while people were praying, having bible study. that is unacceptable. we have been praying if ar long time been on our knees for a long time but it is time to stand up. >> earlier we heard from charleston's mayor regarding the fatal shooting at that church. i want to listen to a portion of what he told the media. >> only reason someone can walk in to church and shoot people praying is out of hate. the only reason. it is the most dastardly act that one can possibly imagine. we will bring that person to justice as soon as possible. >> earlier, we were telling you