Charleston church shooting

On June 17, 2015, a mass shooting took place at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina. During a Bible study session, 21-year-old Dylann Roof shot and killed nine African American church members, including the senior pastor, state senator Clementa C. Pinckney. This attack was racially motivated and shocked the nation, leading to widespread discussions about racism and gun control in America.

Dylann Roof, the suspect in the Charleston church shooting, was arrested on June 18, 2015, in Shelby, North Carolina. Roof was apprehended during a traffic stop and was charged with nine counts of murder. The arrest was made possible by a citizen's tip, following the publication of surveillance images by the law enforcement. Roof was later extradited back to South Carolina to face charges.

On July 31, 2015, Dylann Roof was charged with 33 federal offenses, including hate crimes, by a grand jury. These charges were brought against him due to the racial motivation behind the attack. Roof faced life imprisonment or the death penalty for these federal charges, which were separate from the state murder charges. The federal indictment underscored the gravity of the racially motivated attack.

On April 4, 2016, a federal judge set a tentative trial date for January 2017 for Dylann Roof's federal charges. The trial was set to determine whether Roof would receive the death penalty for the racially motivated murder of nine people at the Charleston church. This announcement was significant in the ongoing legal process following the tragedy, as it marked a step towards holding Roof accountable for the attack.

On June 17, 2016, memorials and vigils were held to mark the one-year anniversary of the Charleston church shooting. Thousands gathered in Charleston and across the nation to remember the nine victims who were killed. The anniversary was a moment for reflection and communal mourning, and served as a reminder of the impact of gun violence and racial hatred in America. The event underscored the ongoing struggle for racial equality and healing in the country.

On November 7, 2016, jury selection began for Dylann Roof's federal trial. Roof faced 33 federal charges, including hate crimes and obstruction of religion. The process involved selecting jurors who could impartially decide whether Roof should be sentenced to death or life imprisonment. Jury selection was a critical phase in the trial, since it set the stage for arguments and testimonies regarding the heinous crimes committed by Roof.

On December 15, 2016, a federal jury found Dylann Roof guilty of all 33 counts, including hate crimes and obstruction of religion, for the racially motivated attack at Emanuel AME Church. The guilty verdict was a significant milestone in the pursuit of justice for the victims and their families. Roof showed no remorse throughout the trial; the next phase would determine if he would receive the death penalty for his crimes.

On January 10, 2017, Dylann Roof was sentenced to death by a federal jury for the Charleston church shooting. The jury deliberated for less than three hours before recommending the death penalty. Roof stated he still felt he had to carry out the act because of his belief in racial supremacy. This sentencing highlighted the severity of the crime and was hailed as justice served for the families of the victims.

On April 10, 2017, Dylann Roof pleaded guilty to state murder charges in exchange for a life sentence without the possibility of parole, thus avoiding a second death penalty trial. This plea deal was made to spare the families of the victims from another grueling trial and was part of an agreement with prosecutors. Roof's guilty plea in state court led to his formal sentencing to life imprisonment under South Carolina law.

On August 25, 2021, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Dylann Roof's death sentence, rejecting his appeal that argued he was mentally incompetent to stand trial. The court's decision confirmed the original death penalty sentence given for his racially motivated crimes. This ruling ensured Roof's sentence remained unchanged, maintaining the federal jury's decision from 2017, and continuing to affirm the justice served for the Emanuel AME Church victims.