Report: Charleston shooter was headed to Nashville

Dylann Roof appears via video before a judge in Charleston, S.C., on Friday, June 19, 2015. The 21-year-old accused of killing nine people inside a black church in Charleston made his first court appearance, with the relatives of all the victims making tearful statements. Dylann Roof appears via video before a judge in Charleston, S.C., on Friday, June 19, 2015. The 21-year-old accused of killing nine people inside a black church in Charleston made his first court appearance, with the relatives of all the victims making tearful statements.

By The Tennessean June 19, 2015 1 min read

CHARLESTON – Dylann Roof, who is charged with nine counts of murder in the attack on a historic black church, appeared wan and subdued Friday at a brief court hearing as relatives of some of the victims said they forgive him so that “hate doesn’t win.”

Appearing by video link from jail, the 21-year-old Roof, who was handcuffed and wore a striped jail jumpsuit, often pursed his lips, closed his eyes, or stared at the floor as the relatives of five victims spoke to the court at the bond hearing.

During the recorded conversation, Roof reportedly told investigators he actually thought he would be caught in Charleston before fleeing and was headed to Nashville when he was captured.

View more at our news partner’s website, tennessean.com.