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COLUMBIA, S.C. (BFMG) — A Columbia man has become the first person charged under Richland County’s newly enacted hate intimidation ordinance, officials announced Thursday.
Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott identified the suspect as 33-year-old Jonathan Felkel, who was arrested in connection with a July 17 incident in the Spring Valley area. Felkel is charged with hate intimidation, assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.
According to Lott, the victim, a Black man, was out jogging in his neighborhood when Felkel, who is white, allegedly fired a gunshot in his direction. Surveillance footage reviewed by investigators shows a vehicle parked in front of a gated area shortly before a gunshot is heard. A voice, reportedly belonging to Felkel, is then heard saying, “Keep on running, boy.”
Lott said Felkel and the victim live in the same neighborhood and described the incident as “subtly based on the race of the victim.”
The Richland County Sheriff’s Department said Felkel made several statements after his arrest, admitting he fired the weapon to intimidate the victim because of their race.
Investigators also noted the following exchange between Felkel and law enforcement:
Felkel: “So I went down there and I seen a man standing in the bushes, it was a Black man in a white shirt, just standing out there at 4 in the morning, and I saw him there and he was by himself so I was really going to do something at first and then…”
Investigator: “What do you mean by that?”
Felkel: “Well, I was going to shoot at him. I was. I was going to shoot at him.”
“This is exactly the kind of behavior this ordinance was created to address,” Lott said during a press conference.
Richland County passed its hate intimidation ordinance in June, becoming the first county in South Carolina to implement such a measure. The ordinance classifies hate intimidation as a misdemeanor, punishable by a $500 fine or up to 30 days in jail. However, the additional charges Felkel faces could carry much stiffer penalties if convicted.
At today’s press conference, Sheriff Leon Lott publicly acknowledged Councilwoman Tyra Little for her instrumental role in helping pass the hate intimidation ordinance in Richland County. When our outlet spoke with Councilwoman Little following the announcement of her ordinances first arrest, she told us:
"This shows that as a council, we did the right thing by the residents of Richland County. I am grateful we have something that is in-place so that people will know and understand that hate will not be tolerated in Richland County."
At a hearing on Friday, a judge set Felkel’s bond at $1 million for the assault and weapons charges. An additional bond of nearly $1,100 was set for the hate intimidation charge.
Good so far
I just wish they would do the same in other states, especially concerns those who hate Jewish people for no reason other than race/religion. Im not Jewish, but i recognize that God chose the Jewish people to be his own. Although God loves us all, Jewish are special people. What some people are doing to them is despicable especially on elite college campuses.
My question is why was the victim hiding in the bushes?
Instead of the one comment that the shooter is a Trump supporter why not just say he was racist. He could not even be involved in politics so why involve the president?
I hope the new law discourages behavior like this. God loves everyone regardless of race or color. We should try to do the same. Try it, you’ll feel better inside. Get rid of bitterness and hate. Its a heart problem!
I hope this works both ways