Read the Statement Accused Charleston Shooter's Family Issued to the Media

The family of accused Charleston church killer Dylann Roof issued a statement to the media Friday afternoon expressing their "deepest sympathies and condolences" to the victims of Wednesday's shooting.

[sharequote align="center"]"Words cannot express our shock, grief, and disbelief as to what happened that night."[/sharequote]

"The Roof Family would like to extend their deepest sympathies and condolences to families of the victims in Wednesday night's shooting at the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston," it said. "Words cannot express our shock, grief, and disbelief as to what happened that night. We are devastated and saddened by what occurred. We offer our prayers sympathy for all of those impacted by these events."

Image via @cnnbrk

The statement then referenced the moment in court Friday afternoon when family of victims told accused killer Roof that they forgave him.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those killed this week," the statement said. "We have all been touched by the moving words from the victims' families offering God's forgiveness and love in the face of such horrible suffering."

"Our hope and prayer is for peace and healing for the families of victims, the Charleston community, and those touched by these events throughout the state of South Carolina and our nation," it added.

The statement concluded saying, "As you can imagine, words are hard to find and we would ask the media respect of family's privacy at this time."

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