Dylann Storm Roof almost didn’t go through with a massacre that left nine people dead inside a historically black church this week in Charleston, S.C., according to authorities.
A magistrate judge Friday set a $1 million bond on a weapons charge Roof faces in the case. A circuit court judge will decide if Roof gets bond on nine murder charges, a decision that will come at a later date.
Roof told police that he “almost didn’t go through with it because everyone was so nice to him” at Emanuel AME Church, sources told NBC News.
The 21-year-old man was charged Friday with nine counts of murder and possession of a firearm during a violent crime, which occurred Wednesday evening during Bible study at the church, police said.
Roof was being held Friday at the Al Cannon Detention Center in Charleston, police said.
He confessed to the crimes, allegedly telling police he wanted to start a race war, CNN reported Friday.
Roof said he bought the gun he used in a local gun store.
Witnesses said Roof was inside Emanuel AME Church for about an hour Wednesday night before he opened fire during a bible study. A massive manhunt was launched to find Roof, and late Thursday morning, he was arrested about 250 miles away in Shelby, N.C., according to police. Hours later, he was returned to Charleston.
South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley told various media outlets Roof should face the death penalty for the crimes.
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