Charleston shooter might face death penalty

Dylann Roof, the 21-year-old white supremacist accused of carrying out the shooting in June, will face the death penalty according to court documents filed on Thursday in the southeastern US state.

"This was the ultimate crime, and justice from our state calls for the ultimate punishment," announced South Carolina state prosecutor Scarlett Wilson in a video posted by "The New York Times."

During the announcement, Wilson acknowledged that some family members of the victims opposed the death penalty for religious and personal reasons. "We all agree that forgiveness is an important part of the healing process, but know that forgiveness doesn't necessarily mean foregoing consequences, even severe consequences," she said.

Wilson also reported that there are many others who support the decision to pursue the death penalty. "While none of us has the heart for vengeance, we all have the resolve to seek and to find justice in this case."

Roof faces charges from the state for the murders at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, as well as federal charges for hate crimes and obstruction of the practice of religion. Roof pleaded "not-guilty" to the federal charges, some of which are also punishable by the death.

On June 17, Roof allegedly sat-in on a bible study class at the historic church before opening fire on the participants with a .45-caliber Glock handgun. According to a federal indictment, Roof wrote a manuscript decrying racial integration and describing perceived wrongs committed against white people.

According to the shooting survivors, he used racial slurs during the attack.

rs/kms (AP, AFP, dpa)