Dylann Roof, seen entering the church in surveillance footage.
Dylann Roof (21), who is accused of killing nine African Americans in Charleston, was indicted of 33 counts of crimes on Wednesday, including hate crimes, illegal use of firearms, and hindering the practice of religion, the combinations of which make Roof eligible for life in prison or the death penalty.
The federal grand jury's indictment states that Roof was "motivated by racial hatred," according to the Associated Press.
"We think that this is exactly the type of case that the federal hate crimes statutes were, in fact, conceived of to cover," U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch said. "Racially motivated violence such as this is the original domestic terrorism."
Lynch went on to explain that Roof's decision to carry out his actions in an African American church shows his desire for "notoriety and attention to his actions."
"The parishioners had Bibles. Dylann Roof had his 45-caliber Glock pistol and eight magazines loaded with hollow point bullets ... Dylann Roof drew his pistol and opened fire on them," Lynch went on.
Since his arrest, writings and a photo have been found that solidify the allegations that the suspect was racially motivated, including a manifesto found online showing a desire to start a "race war," and a photo of Roof with a confederate flag.
However, Roof's case is currently being heard in the South Carolina state court, which does not have a hate crimes law. According to the New York Times, the Justice Department can choose to wait until the state-level case is finished, and then decide whether to carry on another federal case.
