Accused Charleston Church Shooter Dylann Roof Assaulted In Jail

Dylann Roof, the man charged with nine counts of murder following a shooting at an historical black church, has reportedly been assaulted in jail by another inmate.

According to an incident report Roof was attacked by Dwayne Stafford. Roof was in a first floor shower when Stafford left his cell, ran downstairs and began hitting Roof. The report also adds that the 21-year-old was hit in the face and back, resulting in bruises on those parts of his body. No weapons were used during the altercation.

During a press conference earlier today Charleston County Sheriff Al Cannon stated that Roof and his attorneys are not pressing charges in the assault, but an investigation is underway to determine how Stafford was able to reach Roof in the first place.

"We are looking at the issue of the door lock and what may have failed there," Cannon said. The sheriff cited complacency as a possible contributing factor to the incident. Cannon said Roof is always escorted by detention officers, but that one was dropping off toilet paper when the assault happened while the other was taking a break, something he says is not common procedure during the time an inmate would be taking a shower.

"This serves as a wake-up call," Cannon said. "Up and down the chain, we have to ensure that our folks do not fall prey to the routine."

Stafford is in jail for strong armed robbery, assault and lying to the police, Cannon said during the press conference.

Roof is charged with nine counts of murder following the attack on the Emanuel AME church in Charleston in June 2015. Nine members of a bible study group, all of them black, were killed. He is currently being held in solitary confinement at the Charleston County Detention Center. He faces a total of 33 charges in federal court, and others in the state system. Prosecutors from both courts are seeking the death penalty.