Updated 7.16am: The 21-year-old who's accused of nine murders in a church shooting spree in South Carolina has appeared in court by video link.

He answered questions on his age and unemployed status, before standing silently for the remainder of the proceeding.

AUDIO: Full court appearance

Several relatives of the people who died came forward to speak.

Dylann Roof is believed to have confessed to the crime, and told police he wanted to start a race war when he opened fire.

His friend Joey Meek says the shooter has developed a hatred of blacks, and did little to hide it.

"That black people were taking over the country, and that he wanted there to be segregation. White with the white and black with the black."

The judge has set a $1 million bond.