Suspected Charleston Church Shooter Dylann Roof Assaulted in Jail

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iStock/Thinkstock(CHARLESTON, S.C.) — Dylann Roof, the alleged gunman authorities say is responsible for killing nine people in a Charleston, South Carolina, church last year, was assaulted in jail by another inmate, a jail spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said Roof was out of his cell, heading to or from either recreation or the showers when another inmate physically assaulted him. There did not appear to be weapons involved, the spokesperson said.

Roof was not hospitalized.

Officials did not immediately provide more information about his injuries. The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office is expected to provide more information at a news conference Thursday afternoon.

Roof, who is accused of murder and hate crimes, faces a federal trial set for November and a state trial set to begin early next year. He could face the death penalty in both cases.

His state and federal attorneys have said he is willing to plead guilty in exchange for a life sentence.

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