WASHINGTON -- Federal authorities are investigating the shooting of nine people in an African-American church in Charleston, South Carolina from a variety of angles, including as a potential act of domestic terrorism, a Justice Department official said Friday. DOJ had previously said the incident was being investigated as a potential hate crime.

"The departments investigation of the shooting incident in Charleston, South Carolina, is ongoing," spokeswoman Emily Pierce said in a statement. "This heartbreaking episode was undoubtedly designed to strike fear and terror into this community, and the department is looking at this crime from all angles, including as a hate crime and as an act of domestic terrorism.

Alleged shooter Dylann Roof is currently in the custody of local authorities in South Carolina.