South Carolina church shooting: Suspect to appear in court for bail hearing

The 21-year-old gunman suspected of killing nine people at a historic African-American church in South Carolina’s Charleston region, is due to make his first appearance in court.

Dylann Roof, who is being held at a detention centre in the Charleston area, will appear in court through video link for a bail hearing on Friday, reports the BBC.

Acting on a tip-off, the police detained Roof on Thursday at a traffic stop in Shelby, North Carolina. The killing is being treated as a hate crime.

Prayer vigils were held in Charleston and across the U.S. for the victims.

Six women and three men, including the pastor, were killed in the attack by a white gunman during a Bible study meeting.

The 21-year-old Roof attended the meeting for a full hour before firing his weapon. (ANI)