Carson: ‘Racial based hate is still very much alive’

Ben Carson, a black Republican presidential candidate, penned a note on Thursday reflecting on hatred in the wake of a shooting at a historic African-American church in Charleston, S.C., that left nine dead.

“I pray for the families left behind. I pray for the community scared and hurting. I also pray you and I can conquer hatred,” the former Johns Hopkins University neurosurgeon wrote on Facebook. 

{mosads}“In my lifetime I have seen such great progress. Though racial based hate is still very much alive as last night so violently reminded us,” Carson added. 

Carson was joined by several other 2016 presidential hopefuls offering their sympathies to those affected by the shooting, including Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, who said he was “enraged by this ungodly act.”

In his note, Carson pivoted to remark about “intolerance” among Americans, including over political ideologies, party affiliations and views on policy, such as ObamaCare.

“As a brain surgeon I can assure you that all of our brains look the same, no matter what our skin color or party affiliation,” Carson wrote.

“The America I know and love has fought evil all over the world to protect evil’s victims. At home we must dedicate ourselves to not hating anyone based on their politics,” he added.

His remarks came as authorities scrambled to find the gunman suspected of fatally shooting nine people at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston on Wednesday night before fleeing.

Police have since arrested Dylann Storm Roof, a 21-year-old white man, in connection with the shooting.

Federal officials are investigating the shooting as a possible hate crime.