Federal hate crime prices introduced in opposition to man accused of plotting racist capturing in Georgia

The man allegedly shot into two grocery stores in Jonesboro, Georgia.

19 May 2022, 13:58

• 3 min learn

Hate crime costs have been announced in opposition to a person accused of planning to fatally shoot customers and staff of two Jonesboro, Georgia, convenience stores.

Larry Edward Foxworth allegedly fired a gun repeatedly into two comfort shops at 2:30 a.m. on July 30, 2021. Both stores have been open for business.

The indictment alleges that Foxworth, who is white, was motivated to shoot into the shops due to the perceived race, colour or nationwide origin of the people contained in the stores.

“No individual must be afraid to shop or go to work in our community. Nor should folks have to worry that they could be violently attacked due to the colour of their skin,” U.S. Lawyer Ryan K. Buchanan mentioned in an announcement.

Foxworth was charged with two counts of committing a federal hate crime and discharging a firearm to commit a violent crime. He has not yet entered a plea.

He's being charged below the Matthew Shepard-James Byrd Hate Crime Prevention Act, which makes it a federal crime to willfully cause bodily harm, or attempt to do so utilizing a dangerous weapon due to the victim’s precise or perceived race, colour, faith or nationwide origin.

Clayton County is a predominantly Black group, making up 72.8% of the inhabitants, in accordance with the U.S. Census Bureau.

The charges in opposition to Foxworth come in the wake of the mass capturing at a Buffalo, New York, supermarket.

The 18-year-old suspect in Buffalo shot and killed 10 people, injuring three others, in what authorities have described as a racially motivated rampage.

“Hate-fueled violence has no place in a civilized society,” Assistant Lawyer Normal Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division stated. “Fortunately no one was injured by the conduct alleged in this case, but the Justice Division is committed to using all the tools in our legislation enforcement arsenal to prosecute allegations of hate crimes.”

U.S. Assistant Legal professional Basic for the Civil Rights Division Kristen Clarke speaks during a information convention at the Department of Justice, Aug. 5, 2021, in Washington, D.C.

This is the first time in about eight years that hate crime charges have been filed within the Northern District of Georgia, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office advised ABC Information.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Clayton County Police Department.

ABC News' Luke Barr contributed to this report.