After Dylann Roof shot nine people dead at a Charleston, S.C. church, he stood over a witness who had survived the massacre and used a racial slur, according to newly released documents.
Roof, 21, walked into the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church at 8:06 p.m. on Wednesday, where he was welcomed by church members into a Bible study circle, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by TIME. After about an hour of studying, Roof drew a .45 caliber pistol from his fanny pack and attacked the parishioners, firing “multiple shots” at at least one of the victims, the affidavit says. Roof then stood over a surviving witness and “uttered a racially inflammatory statement,” according to the affidavit. The church’s surveillance camera captured footage of the fleeing gunman, who was later identified as Roof by his father and uncle.
Roof has been charged with nine counts of murder and one count of possession of a deadly weapon. Grieving family members confronted Roof for the first time during an emotional bail hearing on Friday. Authorities said they were investigating the shooting as a hate crime.
See Charleston Come Together to Mourn Church Shooting Victims
People sing "We Shall Overcome" during a service at Morris Brown AME Church in Charleston, S.C., on June 18, 2015.Brendan Smialowski—AFP/Getty ImagesThe Rev. Sidney Davis leads mourners during a community prayer service for the nine victims of the shooting at the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, at Second Presbyterian Church in Charleston, S.C. on June 18, 2015.Chip Somodevilla—Getty ImagesMourners gather outside Morris Brown AME Church for a vigil one day after a mass shooting in Charleston, S.C., on June 18, 2015.Brian Snyder—ReutersMourners hold hands as they pause outside Morris Brown AME Church during a vigil one day after a mass shooting in Charleston, South Carolina, on June 18, 2015.Brian Snyder—ReutersNine-year-old Liam Eller (R), helps officers move flowers left behind outside Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church after the street was re-opened a day after a mass shooting left nine dead during a bible study at the church in Charleston, South Carolina, June 18, 2015.Brian Snyder—ReutersKim Hamby, right, prays with her daughter Kayla, 4, as they lay flowers at a makeshift memorial down the street from where a church shooting killed nine people in Charleston, S.C., on June 18, 2015.David Goldman—APPeople sit on the steps of the Morris Brown AME Church while services are held one day after the church shooting in Charleston, S.C., on June 18, 2015.Brendan Smialowski—AFP/Getty ImagesPeople wait outside of Morris Brown AME Church while services are held in Charleston, S.C., on June 18, 2015.Brendan Smialowski—AFP/Getty ImagesPeople gather outside Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church after the street was re-opened a day after a mass shooting left nine dead during a bible study at the church in Charleston, S.C., on June 18, 2015.Brian Snyder—ReutersReverend Al Sharpton visits the memorial site at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church where nine people were murdered in Charleston, S.C., on June 18, 2015.John Taggart—EPAMourners cast shadows on the walls and the makeshift memorial at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C. on June 18, 2015.Brian Snyder—ReutersMourners light candles for the nine victims of the shooting at the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church on June 18, 2015 in Charleston, S.C. Chip Somodevilla—Getty Images
