Ben Carson Calls San Bernardino Shooting a 'Hate Crime'

— -- Presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson called today's shooting in San Bernardino, California, a "hate crime" at a news conference announcing the endorsements from pastors and faith leaders from South Carolina and across the country.

“Look at what happened again. Another hate crime in San Bernardino today. That these 14 people killed. Less than a week ago, we had the shooting in Colorado and then look at all the things going on around the world -- ISIS and groups like this," Carson said today. "Just hate and evil. We need to be able to combat these things or else we will melt into despair and that’s not who we are."

When asked by ABC News to clarify what exactly he means by "hate crime" in this instance, Carson said, “Well it’s hard to imagine that you would shoot a bunch of people and not hate them, right? You don’t do that to people you love.”

The Republican presidential candidate also tweeted that he was praying for the victims of the shooting.

At least 14 people have been killed another 17 injured in today's shooting in San Bernardino when multiple gunmen who were heavily armed and "on a mission" opened fire during a function at a center for people with developmental disabilities, police said.