Federal Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty for Charleston Church Shooter

Carrie Dedrick | Updated: May 25, 2016

Federal Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty for Charleston Church Shooter

Federal prosecutors are reportedly seeking the death penalty for Charleston church shooter Dylann Roof. 

CNN reports Roof is accused of shooting Bible study participants at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church on June 17, 2015. He killed nine people, including the church’s pastor, Rev. Clementa Pinckney. 

Roof has been charged with 33 federal offenses, including hate crime. The 22-year-old allegedly told police his intent was to start a “race war.” 

Attorney General Loretta Lynch said, "The nature of the alleged crime and the resulting harm compelled this decision (to seek the death penalty).”

The state of South Carolina has also charged Roof with murder. Charleston County Solicitor Scarlett Wilson previously said that the state is also seeking capital punishment for Roof. 

A date has not yet been set for Roof’s federal trial. He will stand a state trial in January 2017. 

Publication date: May 25, 2016



Federal Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty for Charleston Church Shooter