Dozens of police officers are rushing to downtown Charleston, South Carolina, after police reported a possible 'active shooter situation' near a stretch of restaurants and shops popular with tourists.

The shooting was reported just after noon on King Street, Police spokesman Charles Francis said in a statement.

He did not say whether they were any injuries or give any description of a suspect.

A couple told a local newspaper that they were eating at Virginia's restaurant and saw a man come out of the kitchen with a gun who said, "There's a new boss in town."

The man looked like 'an ordinary grandpa, but he had a crazy look', the couple said.

They were able to escape out a back door.

Charleston Police sent SWAT teams and a bomb disposal unit to the area.

Authorities instructed people inside to stay inside and those outside to leave the area.

The site is a few blocks away from Emanuel AME church, where nine black members of a church were killed by a white man during a June 2015 Bible study. -- Agencies

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