ATLANTA (DOJ) – Larry Edward Foxworth has been charged with two counts of committing a federal hate crime and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence for repeatedly firing a pistol into two convenience stores last summer near his home in an attempt to kill victims based on their race, color or national origin.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo person should be afraid to shop or go to work in our community. Nor should people have to worry that they may be violently attacked because of the color of their skin,\u201d said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. \u201cCombatting hate crimes continues to be among the Department of Justice\u2019s top priorities. In this district, allegations of criminal activity fueled by hate and racism will always merit our full attention.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHate-fueled violence has no place in a civilized society,\u201d said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department\u2019s Civil Rights Division. \u201cThankfully no one was injured by the conduct alleged in this case, but the Justice Department is committed to using all the tools in our law enforcement arsenal to prosecute allegations of hate crimes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHate crimes are the top priority of the FBI\u2019s Civil Rights Program, due to the damaging impact they have on victims and entire communities,\u201d said Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. \u201cThis office will use every resource available to ensure that criminals committing bias-motivated violent crimes are held accountable.\u201d<\/p>\n