Charleston, South Carolina’s historic Emanuel AME Church was the scene of a gruesome hate crime attach last night that left 9 dead, few survivors, a community shaken by the tragedy, and a shooter still on the loose, but has recently been identified as 21 year old Dylann Storm Roof of Lexington County, SC.

Roof is currently out on bond for recent drug related arrest and trespassing charges as the manhunt mounts to catch and bring him to justice for the murders he has committed.

Roof was identified by his uncle who wold Reuters that he recognized his nephew from the surveillance photos that have been released by the police. Apparently, Roof got a new gun for his 21st birthday in April.

The uncle also mentioned law enforcement is in contact with Roof’s mother at their home as the manhunt continues in the Richland County area.

According to Roof’s Facebook profile, he lives in Columbia, S.C.. and attended White Knoll High School.

According to ABCNews, the suspect opened fire on a bible study group at the historic predominantly black Emanuel AME Church on Calhoun Street, killing eight people in an “unfathomable” act of violence. One other person was rushed to the hospital and died. Police originally said two people were hospitalized.

Police said the alleged gunman, whom the mayor called a “horrible scoundrel,” was inside the church attending the prayer meeting with worshipers for almost an hour.

Police said three of the victims were males and six were females. Their ages were not clear.

Three people survived the shooting, but details about them were not immediately available.

“This is a situation that is unacceptable in any society and especially in our society and our city,” Charleston Police Chief Gregory Mullen said.

Stories are coming out of horrible event from survivors and giving us more insight on what happened. Apparently, Roof allowed one of the women to go free to tell the story of what happened there in the church and a little boy, 5 years old, survived by playing dead.

Obviously, the Roof wanted everyone to know a white man walked into a black church with the intention to kill the people. Otherwise, he would have left no survivors at all, but he didn’t. It is unknown if he was aware of the surveillance cameras on the church grounds.

Our hearts and prayers go out to the friends, family and community devastated by this tragedy. Hopefully, this individual will be captured and brought to justice for the killing of innocent people.