6 men charged in beating; hate crime possible

SENECA, S.C. (AP) — Police have charged six black men with beating a white man outside a Seneca restaurant and have sent information about the attack to the FBI to determine if hate crime charges should also be filed.

Authorities say the victim told investigators that a group of men called him racially charged names as he walked to his vehicle in the parking lot March 17.

The man told police he was hit, and when he tried to fight back, the group attacked him.

Police Chief John Covington says none of the men arrested appeared to know the victim.

The men are charged with assault and battery by mob.