Dylann Roof (AP)
One day after Dylann Roof was assaulted in the Charleston County Detention Center, a donation page has been set up for Dwayne Stafford, his reported attacker. Roof allegedly killed nine Black parishioners of Emanuel AME Church in South Carolina last year and is currently on trial facing multiple charges.
At a press conference held yesterday, Sheriff Al Cannon told local reporters two detention officers were supposed to be with Roof – who is white – as he showered around 7:45 that morning. One had taken a break and the other went to provide toilet paper to a cell nearby. That allowed Stafford to hit him in the face and back, leaving the prisoner bruised. He was not seriously injured, however.
The officers are currently being interviewed, and no decision has been made regarding their return to their regularly scheduled shifts.
Cannon added that Roof’s attorney had no desire to press charges against Stafford, who originally was reported to be facing a misdemeanor third-degree assault and battery charge. Without a cooperating witness, it would be difficult to continue bringing charges against the alleged attacker, the sheriff said.
In the wake of the attack, social media has erupted in praise of Stafford, who is currently in disciplinary segregation.
A tweet sharing a website to donate to the reported assailant through the jail’s online account system has been retweeted more than 1,200 times and garnered nearly 1,000 likes.
You can donate to the man who beat up Dylann Roof here: https://t.co/z83yXu1v7z
— Keegan Stephan (@KeeganNYC) August 5, 2016
Another tweet commending Stafford for a “job well done” calls for users to put money in his commissary via phone.
Dylann Roof was assaulted by an inmate named Dwayne Stafford. Put some money in his commissary for a job well done. pic.twitter.com/5j0VxUMsVN
— Shane Morris (@IamShaneMorris) August 4, 2016
Many have heeded the call.
Charles Akpan thought the inmate deserved the extra money.
Dwayne Stafford deserves all the Top Ramen from the prison commissary.
— Charles Akpan (@TheMusicMogul) August 4, 2016
And @BAD_MamaJama gleefully tweeted about her contribution.
Me putting money in Dwayne Stafford's commissary account for assaulting Dylan Roof ? pic.twitter.com/RPPwv8sjxb
— BIG MOMMA THANG™ (@BAD__MamaJama) August 4, 2016
Atlanta Black Star contacted McDaniel Supply Company, which is responsible for collecting inmate commissary. The company is not allowed to disclose prisoners’ account funds.
Many have also expressed interest in starting a GoFundMe for Stafford.
@0nyeomachi wondered if it was possible to start a campaign on the site.
Is there a gofundme to put money on the books of the guy who beat up Dylann Roof? ? Can we start one?
— Kaldur'ahm (Aqualad) (@0nyeomachi) August 4, 2016
Twitter user Brotha Fo’Real wanted Stafford’s name to launch the GoFundMe.
Just got the news that Dylan Roof got beat up in prison. Does anybody have the inmates name? We need to start a gofundme for his commissary
— Brotha Fo'Real (@JaycenBradley) August 4, 2016
@AnonyMobLive thought the inmate – who is awaiting trial on charges of strong-armed robbery and first-degree assault – deserved the extra commissary and phone time for the fight.
Can we set up a GoFundMe for the homie that beat Dylann Roof into a bloody mess. He deserves extra commissary and phone time.
— Anonymous (@AnonyMobLive) August 4, 2016
