Charleston LGBTQ person victim of hate crime, police say

CHARLESTON, SC (WCIV) — The Charleston Police Department is investigating a possible aggravated assault and hate crime on Sunday morning.

The victim was a member of the LGBTQ community.

Police say the incident occurred while the victim was parked on the side of the road, near Carolina Street and Rutledge Avenue, and standing near the rear of the vehicle at 9:53 a.m.

Officials say an unidentified person asked why the victim was following him, and the victim said he wasn't following him.

In response, the suspect said an anti-gay slur, threw a phone charger at the car, and showed the victim a firearm. At that point, the victim left the scene.

Police say the suspect is described as a black male, wearing a dark shirt, blue jeans with rips at the knees and white and black shoes.

Anyone with information is asked to call the on-duty CPD Central detective at (843) 743-7200 or Crime Stoppers at (843) 554-1111.

Charleston Police Chief Luther Reynolds said, "Hate has no place in the city of Charleston. And while we cannot comment specifically on an ongoing investigation, we can say that we're actively proceeding under the city's Hate Crime Ordinance and will prosecute this crime to the fullest extent of the law."