Charleston Church Shooting: 9 Counts of Murder for Dylann Roof

Updated: June 19, 2015 11:40 AM [ET] | Originally published: June 19, 2015 9:29 AM EDT;

The man accused of killing nine people in a historic black Charleston church was charged Friday with nine counts of murder.

Dylann Roof, 21, was arrested Thursday, one day after police said he opened fire in a prayer meeting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church. In addition to the nine counts of murder, he was also charged with one count of weapon possession, the Associated Press reported.

Shortly before the charges were announced, South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley said on the Today show Friday morning that she believes Roof should be punished with the death penalty, calling the attack a “hate crime.”

Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley struck a different tone in a press conference late Friday morning, saying he is not a proponent of execution. “I think if you’re going to have a death penalty,” he said, “then certainly this case would merit it. [But] I am of the belief that the death penalty is outmoded.”

Mayor Riley also announced a prayer vigil that will take place Friday night at the College of Charleston and encouraged those who want to support the church and the victims’ family members to donate to a fund that has been set up.

Roof was apprehended after a woman in Shelby, N.C. recognized his car and his haircut from news reports. She and her boss contacted the police, who quickly took him into custody and returned him to South Carolina.

Public figures are still debating how to classify the shooting. While Gov. Haley called it a hate crime, Jon Stewart said it was a “terrorist attack.” Mayor Riley, on the other hand, told TIME it was “more in the [category] of the shooter of the children in Connecticut, the shooter in the movie theater—they’re deranged people.”

Roof will have a bond hearing at 2 p.m. EST on Friday, according to the Charleston Police Department. Murder can be punishable by death in the state of South Carolina.

See Charleston Come Together to Mourn Church Shooting Victims

US-SHOOTING-CHARLESTON — 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 Images

Charleston Shooting — The 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 Images

Mourners raise hands outside Morris Brown AME Church for a vigil the day after a mass shooting in Charleston — Mourners 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—Reuters

Mourners hold hands as they pause outside Morris Brown AME Church during a vigil the day after a mass shooting in Charleston — Mourners 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—Reuters

Nine-year-old Liam Eller helps police 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 — Nine-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—Reuters

Kim Hamby, Kayla Hamby — Kim 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—AP

People 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—Reuters

Mass shooting in Charleston, South Carolina, USA — Reverend 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—EPA

Nine Dead After Church Shooting In Charleston — Mourners 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

Accused Church Shooter Charged With 9 Counts of Murder

See Charleston Come Together to Mourn Church Shooting Victims

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