Nine people reportedly were killed when a white man opened fire at a historically black church in Charleston, South Carolina, on Wednesday.

Police confirmed the shooting occurred around 9 p.m. at Emanuel AME Church, the Post and Courier and The Associated Press reported. The victims include the church's pastor.

>> PHOTOS: Mass shooting at AME church in Charleston, S.C.

Charleston police were looking for a "21-year-old white man with a slender build wearing a gray hoodie, blue jeans and Timberland boots," according to ABC News. CNN said the suspect's description included "clean-shaven."

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Police in bullet-proof vests were still looking for the gunman, who was no longer an active shooter, according to social-media reports of emergency radio communications. Officials said they are investigating the incident as a hate crime.