Charleston Shooting: Dylann Roof Confessed to Killing 9 People at AME Church, Source Says

Jun 19, 2015, 9:25 AM ET
By JOSH MARGOLIN and EMILY SHAPIRO

Suspect Dylann Roof has allegedly confessed to killing nine people at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina Wednesday night, according to a law enforcement source briefed on the investigation.

"We are getting cooperation at this point," the official told ABC News today.

Interviews with Roof are ongoing, the official said.

Roof, 21, spent Thursday night in protective custody and on suicide watch at the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center in North Charleston, according to the Charleston County Sheriff's Office. Roof is permitted to have visitors, but no one has come to see him, the Sheriff's Office said today.

Roof, who was apprehended Thursday morning, is scheduled to appear at a bond hearing at 2 p.m. today, although he's ineligible, by state law.

Roof was charged Thursday with one count of murder to start the legal process, Solicitor Scarlett Wilson said. More charges are expected to be added.

It was unclear whether Roof had a lawyer and attempts to reach him Thursday were unsuccessful.