The suspect in a multiple murder shooting in Charleston was caught by police on Thursday.
Dylann Storm Roof, a 21-year-old male, was arrested by authorities in Shelby, North Carolina just after 11am local time, 13 hours after the original incident took place at a historic African-American church.
Roof, pictured, being led away by police
President Obama, speaking at a press conference on Thursday afternoon, confirmed Roof was recently detained by authorities.
He said: "Any death of this sort is a tragedy - any shooting involving multiple victims is a tragedy.
"There is something heartbreaking about death happening in a place in which we seek solace, where we seek peace - in a place of worship."
President Obama speaking after the Charleston shootings
Obama also highlighted the issue of gun control in the US, saying the country needed to properly confront its firearms access laws.
"I've had to make statement like this too many times," he said.
"Communities like this have had to endure tragedies like this too many times.
"We don't have all the facts, but we do know that once again innocent people were killed, in part, because someone who wanted to inflict harm had no trouble getting their hands on a gun.
Now's the time for mourning and for healing," he added, "but let's be clear".
"At some point, we as a country will have to reckon with the fact that this type of mass violence doesn't happen in other advanced countries.
"It doesn't happen in other places with this kind of frequency. And it is in our power to do something about it."
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His comments came just minutes after Charleston Mayor Joe Riley told reporters at a press conference following Roof's arrest that "that awful person, that terrible human being... is now in custody where he will always remain".
Riley also announced the creation of a dedicated fund to help victims of the Charleston Church shooting.
Fighting back tears, state Governor Nikki Haley told assembled journalists "it is a very sad day in South Carolina".
"We woke up today and the heart and soul of South Carolina was broken," local broadcaster WLTX19 said.
Local police confirmed on Thursday there was no indication anyone else had been involved in the incident.