(CN) - The man accused to killing nine black parishioners in a Charleston church last year was assaulted by a black inmate as he prepared to shower Thursday morning, Sheriff Al Cannon said.
Dylann Roof, who is being held in the Charleston County Detention Center, was attacked by inmate Dwayne Stafford, who "punched him a number of times and assaulted him quickly," Cannon said at a Thursday afternoon news conference.
According to a police report, Stafford ran down the stairs from his cell after Roof went into the shower at about 7:45 a.m. Thursday and pounced on him, striking him in the face and on the back.
The 22-year-old was bruised, but not seriously injured and returned to his cell after being examined by medical personnel.
Watson is awaiting trial on first-degree assault and strong armed robbery charges.
However, Cannon said neither Roof nor his lawyer are interested in pursuing charges against him for this morning's incident.
Roof is charged with multiple murder, hate and gun-related charges stemming from the June 17, 2015, murders of nine parishioners during a Bible study at Charleston's historic Emanuel AME Church.
He was captured the following day in North Carolina.
Roof faces the death penalty in upcoming trials in both federal and state courts. His federal trial is set for November. His state trial is set to begin next year.
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