CHARLESTON, S.C.—They forgave him. They advised him to repent for his sins, and asked for God’s mercy on his soul. One even told Dylann Storm Roof to repent and confess, and “you'll be OK.”
Relatives of the nine community leaders shot down during a Bible study session at their historic black church confronted the shooting suspect Friday during his initial court hearing, and spoke of love.
“I forgive you, my family forgives you,” said Anthony Thompson. “We would like you to take this opportunity to repent. ... Do that and you'll be better off than you are right now.”
Roof, who faces nine counts of murder, was ordered held on $1 million bond on a separate gun charge. He appeared by video from the county jail, looking somber in a striped jumpsuit and speaking only briefly in response to the judge’s questions.
A police affidavit released Friday accused Roof of shooting all nine victims multiple times, and making a “racially inflammatory statement” as he stood over an unnamed witness.
