Federal hate crime charges announced towards 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 fees have been announced in opposition to a man 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 convenience stores at 2:30 a.m. on July 30, 2021. Each 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, shade or nationwide origin of the individuals inside the shops.

“No particular person 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 due to the color of their skin,” U.S. Attorney 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 yet 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 injury, or attempt to take action utilizing a dangerous weapon due to the sufferer’s actual or perceived race, shade, faith or nationwide origin.

Clayton County is a predominantly Black group, making up 72.8% of the population, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

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

The 18-year-old suspect in Buffalo shot and killed 10 individuals, 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 Basic Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said. “Fortunately no one was injured by the conduct alleged on this case, however the Justice Department is committed to utilizing all of the instruments in our legislation enforcement arsenal to prosecute allegations of hate crimes.”

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

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

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

ABC Information' Luke Barr contributed to this report.