Federal hate crime fees announced towards man accused of plotting racist shooting in Georgia

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

19 May 2022, 13:58

• 3 min read

Hate crime charges have been announced towards a person accused of planning to fatally shoot clients and workers of two Jonesboro, Georgia, convenience shops.

Larry Edward Foxworth allegedly fired a gun repeatedly into two convenience shops at 2:30 a.m. on July 30, 2021. Each stores were open for enterprise.

The indictment alleges that Foxworth, who is white, was motivated to shoot into the shops due to the perceived race, color or nationwide origin of the individuals inside the shops.

“No individual should be afraid to buy or go to work in our neighborhood. Nor ought to people have to fret that they may be violently attacked due to the colour of their skin,” U.S. Legal professional Ryan K. Buchanan stated in a statement.

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

He is being charged below the Matthew Shepard-James Byrd Hate Crime Prevention Act, which makes it a federal crime to willfully trigger bodily damage, or attempt to do so utilizing a dangerous weapon due to the victim’s actual or perceived race, color, religion or national origin.

Clayton County is a predominantly Black community, making up 72.8% of the inhabitants, in response to the U.S. Census Bureau.

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

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

“Hate-fueled violence has no place in a civilized society,” Assistant Legal professional Common Kristen Clarke of the Justice Division’s Civil Rights Division mentioned. “Fortunately nobody was injured by the conduct alleged on this case, but the Justice Division is dedicated to utilizing all of the instruments in our legislation enforcement arsenal to prosecute allegations of hate crimes.”

U.S. Assistant Lawyer Basic for the Civil Rights Division Kristen Clarke speaks throughout a news convention at the Division 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. Legal professional’s Office instructed 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.