Church members at the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, say the suspect sat down and attended part of the service before opening fire.

"You tell people to go to work, do right, go to church. These people were in church. They were in church!" an outraged Mayor Joseph Riley said.

Roof, 21, is believed to be the only shooter.

Officials refused to go into detail about possible motives for the shooting, but many are calling it a hate crime.

"The only reason someone could walk into a church and shoot people praying is because of hate—the only reason. It is the most dastardly act that one can possibly imagine," Mayor Riley said.

Built in 1891, Emanuel AME is one of the oldest black churches in the South. Its pastor, who is well-known for his civil rights activism, is believed to be among the dead. (Photo via Fox News)

Meanwhile, powerful moments are unfolding in the wake of the shooting, with members of the community gathering in prayer circles down the street from the crime scene.

"We want the entire community to pray for safety for our people and that we would hope that this person who committed this heinous crime which is a hate crime, be brought to justice," Dr. Norvel Goff, a church elder, said.

"We stand in solidarity," he continued. "But we also solicit your prayers for the family members who have lost loved ones here tonight."

Another elder reported that more than 50 pastors from all across the state have gathered in downtown Charleston to help comfort those affected by the tragedy.

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