Federal hate crime expenses introduced in opposition to man accused of plotting racist shooting in Georgia

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

19 Could 2022, 13:58

• 3 min read

Hate crime prices have been introduced against a man accused of planning to fatally shoot customers and employees of two Jonesboro, Georgia, comfort stores.

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

The indictment alleges that Foxworth, who is white, was motivated to shoot into the shops because of the perceived race, coloration or national origin of the individuals contained in the shops.

“No individual should be afraid to shop or go to work in our group. Nor ought to individuals have to fret that they may be violently attacked because of the color of their skin,” U.S. Lawyer Ryan K. Buchanan said 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 but entered a plea.

He's being charged underneath the Matthew Shepard-James Byrd Hate Crime Prevention Act, which makes it a federal crime to willfully cause bodily injury, or try to do so utilizing a dangerous weapon due to the victim’s actual or perceived race, color, faith or national origin.

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

The charges towards Foxworth come within the wake of the mass capturing at a Buffalo, New York, grocery store.

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. “Thankfully no one was injured by the conduct alleged in this case, however 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 during a news conference at the Department of Justice, Aug. 5, 2021, in Washington, D.C.

That is the first time in about eight years that hate crime fees have been filed in the Northern District of Georgia, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Workplace told ABC News.

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.