Victim of Richland County hate crime speaks out

RICHLAND COUNTY, S.C. (WOLO)– The victim of a hate crime in Richland County is speaking out on Thursday, Aug. 21.

Sheriff Leon Lott says on July 17 in the Spring Valley area, Jonathan Feckel admitted to investigators that he fired a shotgun at Jarvis McKenzie because he’s Black.

Feckel’s arrest is the first under the county’s hate crime ordinance.

Mckenzie and Attorney Tyler Bailey spoke with the media this morning, urging the passing of a state hate crime law.

South Carolina is one of two states without a hate crime law on the books.