CONWAY, S.C. (AP) — The mother of a man who authorities say wanted to kill Jewish or black people in an attack inspired by Dylann Roof says her son thought it was time for white people to stand up for their rights.
Joanne Strickland told WBTW-TV that her son Benjamin McDowell was religious and carried a Bible with him Wednesday as he left their home.
The FBI says McDowell was heading to meet an undercover agent and buy a gun and ammunition. He couldn’t legally have a gun because of a felony burglary conviction.
Federal agents say McDowell wanted to commit an attack like Roof, who faces a death sentence for killing nine African-Americans during a Bible study.
The FBI says McDowell hadn’t picked a target for his planned attack before his arrest.
Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.