The top prosecutor in South Carolina announced Thursday that the state will seek the death penalty for the white man accused of killing nine people at a historic black church in Charleston back in June.

After filing court documents on Thursday, South Carolina Solicitor Scarlett Wilson told reporters that she would pursue the death penalty for the accused shooter, Dylann Roof, reports NPR.

The mass shooting took place on June 17, at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church. The 21-year-old white man allegedly opened fire while the church members were praying, killing nine people, including the church's pastor, state Sen. Clementa Pinckney, 41. Three people survived.

Roof is now facing 33 federal charges for the hate crime, including weapons charges and obstructing the practice of religion.

Wilson described the shooter as "the ultimate crime" that deserved "the ultimate punishment." The prosecutor added that the family members of the victims respected her decision to seek the death penalty, despite the fact that they don't all support capital punishment.

"Some family members of victims, because of their faith, do not believe in the death penalty under any circumstances. Some believe the death penalty is just too easy," said Wilson, according to BBC News. "Still others believe that the death penalty for the murders at Mother Emanuel Church is entirely appropriate."

She added that, "We all agree that forgiveness is an important part of the healing process but know that forgiveness doesn't necessarily mean foregoing consequences, even severe consequences."

Wilson also said that the victims' family members should not have the burder to decide how Roof should be punished.

"People who have already been victimized should not bear the burden of making the decisions on behalf of an entire community. They shouldn't have to weigh the concerns of other people. They shouldn't have to consider the facts of the case," she said.