Charleston Church Shooter, Dylann Roof Found in Shelby, NC: President Obama Knew Pastor

MStars News has learned that the gunman who opened fire at the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina Wednesday night was arrested during a traffic stop in Shelby, North Carolina. According to WSB TV, Dylann Storm Roof was caught in Shelby, North Carolina, which is about four hours from Charleston. President Obama adressed the nation in a new statment on the situation, revealing that he knew the deceased pastor at the church.

#CharlestonShooting suspect caught after car reported; suspect was "cooperative" with officer https://t.co/Ru4LQiMcM9 pic.twitter.com/HiWhcMrPLx

— CBS News (@CBSNews) June 18, 2015

Following the shooting, authorities were searching for Roof after he killed nine people during bible study, including the church's pastor, Rev. Clementa Pinckney. Pinckney was also a state senator. 

Roof, 21, of Lexington County, shot and killed six women and three men during a prayer service at Emanuel AME Church. The were only three survivors of the tragic shooting. Of those survivors, one woman revealed Roof allowed her to live to tell everyone what happened.

 MStars News previously reported that Roof shot and killed the church worshipers saying: "I have to do it. You're raping our women and taking over the country. You have to go."

According to WIS TV, police public records revealed that Roof was arrested back in March in Lexington County on drug charges. A Lexington County Sheriff's Department spokesman revealed that Roof was held in the detention center on February 28 and another time on April 26 after being arrested by the Columbia Police Department.

According to ABC, U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch stated: "I can confirm that there is a subject in custody in relation to the shootings in Charleston from last evening. And, of course, this moves us into a different phase of the investigation, which will be pursued as vigorously and with as complete cooperation as the apprehension of this individual."

Officials believe Roof acted alone in the alleged hate crime.

"I am so pleased we were able to resolve this case quickly," Charleston Police Chief Gregory Mullen revealed in a new press conference. "This is a situation that is unacceptable in any society and especially in our society and our city."

Prayer vigils for the victims and their families have been active since the news first surfaced.

52 years later and we are still praying for the same thing. #CharlestonShooter pic.twitter.com/RiKg4QCYut — Kwame Rose (@KwameRose) June 18, 2015

WATCH LIVE: Prayer vigil for victims of #CharlestonShooting shooting @ Morris Brown AME Church https://t.co/7GvA9i15Uz pic.twitter.com/iBAXcbnACn

— WBTV News (@WBTV_News) June 18, 2015