ABC News(CHARLOTTE, N.C.) — Dylann Roof, the 22-year-old accused of killing nine black churchgoers at a Charleston, South Carolina, bible study, appeared to chuckle as he admitted to the shooting in a video interview of Roof played in court today in which Roof also said he used a Glock 45 to do it, according to ABC affiliate WCIV, which reported the testimony from the courtroom.
“I didn’t say anything to them before I pulled it out, not even one word,” Roof said of the gun in the video. “I mean they reacted after I shot them.”
FBI Special Agent Michael Stansbury, who interviewed Roof the day after the shooting, testified today at Roof’s federal trial, and Roof’s apparent video confession was played in court.
Stansbury testified that Roof, who was 21 at the time of the shooting, said he bought his gun when he turned 21, WCIV reported.
Of how many people he shot, Roof said, “If I was going to guess, five. … Maybe. I’m really not sure,” according to the video.
“I just went in and sat down with them for like 15 minutes. It could have been 20. It could have been 10… It was a bible study class,” Roof said.
During the interview, Roof “was sitting there eating a hamburger. He was not upset, crying, or showing any emotions,” Stansbury testified, according to WCIV. Stansbury testified that Roof was calm and showed no remorse.
Roof, who is white, is accused of fatally shooting nine black parishioners during a Bible study at the predominantly black Emanuel AME Church on June 17, 2015. Roof allegedly entered the Emanuel AME Church armed and “with the intent of killing African-Americans engaged in the exercise of their religious beliefs,” according to the federal indictment against him.
The parishioners welcomed Roof into their Bible study group, according to the indictment, after which Roof allegedly drew his pistol and opened fire.
During Thursday’s court proceedings, Roof’s mother was crying and trembling for hours listening to descriptions of the gruesome scene. She was then laid down on a bench and started looking up, saying, “Where am I?” and then, “I’m so sorry” over and over.
Testimony from investigators Thursday revealed 360 pictures from the gruesome scene at the basement hall where the shooting happened. The images showed bodies with numbers labeling what investigators believe was the order in which they were shot. The images also showed streams of blood. Many of the victims were under the rickety tables. Some bibles were still on the tables.
The 33 federal counts against Roof include hate crimes resulting in death and obstruction of exercise of religion resulting in death.
Roof has pleaded not guilty.
He also faces a state trial, set for early next year, in which he may also face the death penalty.
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