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RELIGION

Man accused of killing 9 at Charleston church feared 'blacks were taking over the world'

Associated Press
Published | Updated
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    This photo provided by Charleston County Sheriff's Office shows Dylann Roof, Thursday, June 18, 2015. Roof, 21, was arrested Thursday in the slayings of several people Wednesday, including the pastor, at a prayer meeting inside The Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C. (Charleston County Sheriff's Office via AP) (The Associated Press)

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    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)

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    Gary and Aurelia Washington, center left and right, the son and granddaughter of Ethel Lance who died in Wednesday's shooting, leave a sidewalk memorial in front of Emanuel AME Church comforted by fellow family members Thursday, June 18, 2015, in Charleston, S.C. Dylann Storm Roof, 21, was arrested Thursday in the slayings of several people, including the pastor at a prayer meeting inside the historic black church. (AP Photo/David Goldman) (The Associated Press)

CHARLESTON, S.C. – A former friend who had reconnected with the man accused of a shooting massacre inside a historic black church in Charleston, South Carolina, says Dylann Storm Roof had become an avowed racist.

Joey Meek reconnected with Roof a few weeks ago and said Roof complained that "blacks were taking over the world" and that someone needed to do something about it for the white race.

Roof is in police custody, accused of opening fire Wednesday evening at The Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, killing nine people.

Police captured Roof in Shelby, North Carolina. His apprehension ended an intense, hours-long manhunt. Authorities said Roof waived extradition and was back in Charleston on Thursday night with a bond hearing pending.