Mom: Son who sought gun for Dylann Roof attack was religious

Published February 23, 2017

The mother of a man who authorities say wanted to kill Jewish or black people in an attack inspired by Dylann Roof says her son thought it was time for white people to stand up for their rights.

Joanne Strickland told WBTW-TV (http://bit.ly/2l1uNOQ ) that her son Benjamin McDowell was religious and carried a Bible with him Wednesday as he left their home.

The FBI says McDowell was heading to meet an undercover agent and buy a gun and ammunition. He couldn't legally have a gun because of a felony burglary conviction.

Federal agents say McDowell wanted to commit an attack like Roof, who faces a death sentence for killing nine African-Americans during a Bible study.

The FBI says McDowell hadn't picked a target for his planned attack before his arrest.

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/us/mom-son-who-sought-gun-for-dylann-roof-attack-was-religious