The Justice Department announced on Tuesday that it will seek the death penalty against Dylann Roof, who’s accused of fatally shooting nine black parishioners in Charleston, South Carolina.
"Following the department's rigorous review process to thoroughly consider all relevant factual and legal issues, I have determined that the Justice Department will seek the death penalty,” Attorney General Loretta Lynch said in a statement. “The nature of the alleged crime and the resulting harm compelled this decision.”
The 22-year-old suspect is accused of killing nine people over their race at the historically black Emanuel AME Church in June 2015. He faces federal hate crime charges which center on the victim’s race.
Sylvia Johnson, cousin of the reverend killed in the shooting, said that the suspect told the black parishioners, “I have to do it. You rape our women, and you’re taking over our country, and you have to go.”
David Bruck, one of the most notable criminal defense attorneys, is representing the suspect in court. Buck has repeatedly said in open court that Roof was ready to plead guilty if the government agreed to seek a life sentence without parole, The State reports.
"Acts like this one have no place in our country,” Attorney Lynch said days after the shooting. “They have no place in a civilized society.”
The suspected shooter also faces separate charges from South Carolina authorities including nine counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime. State prosecutors are also seeking the death penalty.
It’s currently unclear which trial will begin first, but the suspect will go to trial in state court in January 2017.
