Richland County: Man apprehended for shooting at a Black jogger without clear cause.
Jonathan Felkel is the initial individual to face charges under the recently enacted local hate crime law for firing at a black man who was jogging in the neighborhood.
Richland County man charged with hate crime; Community reacts” data-description=”Deputies say a Black jogger was targeted because of his race. Now, Jonathan Felkel is the first person charged under Richland County’s hate crime ordinance.”
Jonathan Felkel, aged 33, was taken into custody on Thursday following an inquiry that was initiated on July 17 in the 200 block of Brookspring Road.
Initial reports and video footage from Spring Valley security indicated that the suspect was a middle-aged white male driving a black BMW sedan.
The sheriff’s department stated that the video captured the suspect driving to the neighborhood’s exit gate, retrieving a rifle from the passenger seat, and discharging a round.
Although the license plate wasn’t clearly visible in the video, investigators later identified Felkel as the suspect.
His bail was set to $1 Million,
His next court date is scheduled for Sept. 26 at 11 a.m.