Latest on Charleston, South Carolina church shooting: Nine people killed

A white man walked into the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina on Wednesday night and opened fire during a Bible study class, killing nine people. The suspect was still at large as of Thursday morning.

Here is what we know so far:

• There are nine victims, all were killed. Six are female. Three are male.

• The suspect is in his early 20s, 5-feet, 9-inches in height. "He has on a very distinctive sweatshirt as well as the vehicle, with a very distinctive license plate," Charleston police Chief Greg Mullen said said.

• Police believe he is still in the Charleston area.

"This is an all-hands-on-deck effort with the community as well as law enforcement.

"When people go out they should be vigilant, they should be aware of their surroundings. And if they see anything suspicious, they should call law enforcement," Mullen said.

Here is a photo of the suspect released by Charleston police:

Police in Charleston, South Carolina say a gunman killed nine people at an historic black church on Wednesday night. Police are searching for a white male, approximately 21 years old, with sandy blond hair.