Major Controversies Surrounding Dylann Roof: A Detailed Timeline

Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Dylann Roof.

Dylann Roof is an American white supremacist and neo-Nazi who committed the Charleston church shooting on June 17, 2015. He killed nine African Americans during a Bible study at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, including senior pastor Clementa C. Pinckney, and injured another person. Roof confessed to the shooting, stating his motive was to incite a race war. He was apprehended in Shelby, North Carolina, following a manhunt. His actions have been widely condemned as domestic terrorism.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

2012: Development of White Supremacist Views

In 2012, according to his manifesto, Dylann Roof developed his white supremacist views after reading about the killing of Trayvon Martin and Black-on-white crime.

February 28, 2015: Arrest for Drug Possession

On February 28, 2015, Dylann Roof was arrested at the Columbiana Centre for drug possession after being found with Suboxone without a valid prescription and was banned from the mall.

March 13, 2015: Investigation for Loitering and Firearm Accessories

On March 13, 2015, Dylann Roof was investigated for loitering and was found to have a forearm grip for an AR-15 semiautomatic rifle and six unloaded magazines in his car. He admitted wanting to purchase an AR-15 but lacked the funds.

April 26, 2015: Arrest for Trespassing

On April 26, 2015, Dylann Roof was arrested for trespassing on the grounds of the Columbiana Centre mall in violation of a ban. The ban was extended for three additional years.

June 17, 2015: Charleston Church Shooting

On June 17, 2015, Dylann Roof committed the Charleston church shooting during a Bible study at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, killing nine African Americans and injuring one. He was later arrested and confessed to hoping to ignite a race war.

June 18, 2015: Confession to Charleston Attack

On June 18, 2015, the day he was captured, Dylann Roof confessed to committing the Charleston church shooting with the intention of starting a race war.

June 19, 2015: Charges and Court Appearance

On June 19, 2015, Dylann Roof was charged with nine counts of murder and one count of possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime. He appeared in court by video conference, where survivors and relatives of victims offered forgiveness. Governor Nikki Haley called for the death penalty.

June 20, 2015: Discovery of "The Last Rhodesian" Website

On June 20, 2015, a website registered to Dylann Roof, lastrhodesian.com, was discovered, containing photos of him posing with white supremacist symbols and a manifesto.

July 7, 2015: Indictment on Attempted Murder Charges

On July 7, 2015, Dylann Roof was indicted on three new charges of attempted murder for each person who survived the Charleston church shooting.

July 10, 2015: FBI Director Comey on Gun Purchase Lapses

On July 10, 2015, FBI Director James Comey stated that Dylann Roof was able to purchase the gun used in the attack due to lapses in the FBI's background-check system.

July 2015: FBI Director James Comey Speaks About Roof's February Arrest

In July 2015, FBI Director James Comey spoke about Roof's February arrest, explaining that it was initially incorrectly written as a felony due to a data entry error. This error had implications for firearms background checks.

July 16, 2015: Trial Scheduled in State Court

On July 16, 2015, Dylann Roof's trial in state court was scheduled to start on July 11, 2016.

September 2015: Announcement of Capital Punishment in State Prosecution

In September 2015, it was announced that Dylann Roof would face capital punishment in his state prosecution.

October 23, 2015: Reappearance in State Court

On October 23, 2015, Dylann Roof reappeared in state court before Judge Nicholson.

2015: Drafting Manifesto

In 2015, Dylann Roof drafted one of the manifestos recovered from his vehicle.

2015: Rants About Racial Issues and Plans to Kill

In 2015, Dylann Roof reportedly ranted about the killing of Trayvon Martin and the Baltimore protests, claiming "Blacks were taking over the world" and told people of his plans to kill people.

May 2016: Announcement of Capital Punishment in Federal Prosecution

In May 2016, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that Dylann Roof would face capital punishment in his federal prosecution as well.

July 11, 2016: Trial Scheduled to start in State Court

Dylann Roof's trial in state court was scheduled to start on July 11, 2016.

August 2016: Recovery of Additional Manifestos and Writings

According to court documents filed in August 2016, Dylann Roof drafted two other manifestos, one in 2015 and the other in jail, along with a list of churches and a "selection of victims."

August 2016: Federal Prosecutors on Roof's Radicalization

In August 2016, federal prosecutors stated that Dylann Roof was "self-radicalized" online, rather than influenced by personal associations or experiences with white supremacist groups.

December 15, 2016: Conviction on Federal Charges

On December 15, 2016, Dylann Roof was convicted in federal court on all 33 federal charges against him stemming from the Charleston church shooting, including hate crimes.

January 11, 2017: Sentenced to Death

On January 11, 2017, Dylann Roof was sentenced to death in federal court for the crimes related to the Charleston church shooting.

March 31, 2017: Guilty Plea in State Court

On March 31, 2017, Dylann Roof agreed to plead guilty in South Carolina state court to all state charges to avoid a second death sentence, accepting a sentence of life in prison without parole.

April 10, 2017: Sentenced to Life Without Parole

On April 10, 2017, Dylann Roof was sentenced to nine consecutive sentences of life without parole after pleading guilty to state murder charges.

July 2020: "Bowl Patrol" Neo-Nazi Group Still Active

As of July 2020, a neo-Nazi group named the "Bowl Patrol," after Roof's hairstyle, was still active, five years after the Charleston church shooting.

2022: Buffalo Shooting Perpetrator Referred to Roof

In 2022, the perpetrator of the Buffalo shooting, Payton Gendron, referred to Dylann Roof in his manifesto as an inspiration and wrote Roof's name on one of his guns.