'We don't like **** around here' | 911 call yields new info on alleged LGBTQ 'hate crime'

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — Newly released 911 call recordings shed more light on what police are calling a hate crime against a member of Charleston's LGBTQ community.

The 911 calls and previously released incident reports from police suggest an as yet unidentified man used a homophobic slur and threatened another man with a gun.

The incident happened Sunday, Oct. 25, along Rutledge Avenue near Carolina and Sumter streets, according to Charleston Police.

"I've got this guy following me because I'm gay. He's trying to shoot me," the victim told 911 dispatchers. "He's like, 'We don't like [slur] around here, keep going!'"

The encounter reportedly began after the victim dropped someone off at a residence in the area, and then stopped along the street to send a text message.

"I'm sitting there texting and this guy he's like, 'What you following me for?,'" the victim told dispatchers. "I was like, 'Ain't nobody following you, I'm sending a text message.' He's like, 'Y'all talking gay. We don't want no gay people around here,' blah blah blah."

The victim told dispatchers the suspect then threw an object at his vehicle before showing him a gun. That's when the victim told police he drove away, and the suspect gave chase on foot.

Police later learned the object the suspect threw at the car was a phone charger.

The victim described the suspect as a black male in his mid to late 30s, standing about 6 feet, and weighing 190-200 pounds. The man was wearing a black T-shirt, blue jeans torn at the knees, and white and black Nike shoes, per the victim's statement.

Charleston Police Chief Luther Reynolds says his officers will charge any suspects arrested in this case with violating the city's "Hate Intimidation" ordinance.

A person is in violation of the ordinance if they attempt to "intimidate another person or persons in whole or in part because of the actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, or national origin."

Violation of the ordinance carries maximum fine of up to $500, up to 30 days in jail, or both. Charleston City Council passed the ordinance in 2018.

No hate crime laws or punishments for them exist in South Carolina state law.

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