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First Federal Hate Crime Indictment in Richland County

12/21/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Jonathan Felkel, 34, faces federal charges in a racially motivated shooting in Richland County, South Carolina.
He allegedly fired at his Black neighbor, Jarvis McKenzie, while shouting racial slurs in July.
This case is the first federal indictment under Richland County's new hate crime ordinance.
McKenzie said he is grateful for the action.
Local leaders say addressing hate crimes is needed to deter future incidents.

History

Historical Context

The Hate Crime Statistics Act of 1990, signed by President George H. W. Bush, mandated the FBI to collect data on hate crimes, addressing a surge in racially motivated violence. This law followed a history of racial violence in the U.S., including the Civil Rights Movement's struggles against hate crimes. In 2019, the FBI reported over 7,000 hate crime incidents, underscoring ongoing challenges in combating such violence.

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Story summary

Jonathan Felkel, 34, faces federal charges in a racially motivated shooting in Richland County, South Carolina.
He allegedly fired at his Black neighbor, Jarvis McKenzie, while shouting racial slurs in July.
This case is the first federal indictment under Richland County's new hate crime ordinance.
McKenzie said he is grateful for the action.
Local leaders say addressing hate crimes is needed to deter future incidents.

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