After rounding up nine counts of murder, 21-year-old Roof was also charged with three counts of attempted murder, accounting for the three survivors of the heinous attack, according to the Associated Press.
U.S. Justice Department officials have not specified whether Roof’s act of violence will be treated as a hate crime, though a majority believe the legal parameters are in line to pursue the charge.
On a website registered in Roof’s name, a lengthy racist declaration was revealed along with photos of Roof holding guns, Confederate flags and burning American flags.
In total, Roof was indicted on nine murder charges, three attempted murder charges and one count of possessing a weapon during a violent crime.
Charleston County prosecutor Scarlett A. Wilson remains undecided with regards to whether Roof will face the death penalty, the Washington Post reports. However, South Carolina governor Nikki Haley has expressed her support for Roof receiving the death penalty.
His next court date has been scheduled for October.
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