RELIGION

The latest on church shooting: Gov. Haley says shooter should get the death penalty

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Olina Ortega, left, and Austin Gibbs light candles at a sidewalk memorial in front of Emanuel AME Church where people were killed by a white gunman Wednesday during a prayer meeting inside the historic black church in Charleston, S.C., Thursday, June 18, 2015. (AP Photo/David Goldman) (The Associated Press)

Walter Jackson, left, holds a photo of his mother Susie Jackson, one of the nine people killed in Wednesday's shooting at Emanuel AME Church, while standing for a portrait on his front porch as his cousin Kenneth Washington, right, looks on Friday, June 19, 2015, in Charleston, S.C. "Right now all in my heart is anger for him," said Jackson. "I doubt if I'll ever forgive him." (AP Photo/David Goldman) (The Associated Press)

Dylann Roof is accused of killing nine people inside a black church in Charleston. (AP)

7:15 a.m.

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley says the gunman who killed nine people during a shooting spree at a Charleston church should get the death penalty.

Speaking Friday morning on NBC's "Today" show, Haley said "we will absolutely will want him to have the death penalty."

Twenty-one-year-old Dylann Storm Roof was arrested Thursday in North Carolina, a day after nine people were killed during a Bible study at a historic black church in downtown Charleston.

Those killed included the minister at The Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church.

The shooting is being considered a hate crime.

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10:45 p.m.

Felecia Sanders says she survived a shooting massacre at a historic black church in Charleston by playing dead as she lay on top of her granddaughter to protect her.

Cynthia Taylor told The Associated Press that she spoke with Sanders and that is what Sanders told her.

Taylor is the niece of 87-year-old shooting victim Susie Jackson, who was a longtime member of The Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church and sang in the choir.

A white male fatally shot nine people at the church Wednesday night during a Bible study session.

Police arrested 21-year-old Dylann Roof in North Carolina on Thursday and flew him back to South Carolina to face charges.