By The Associated Press
Police charged a White South Carolina man with hate intimidation on April 30, saying he punched and yelled racial slurs at a Black man in an unprovoked attack.
Witnesses reported the victim was walking down a Charleston street around 7:30 p.m. when James Alden Vige, 39, began yelling racial slurs at him, according to a statement from city officials.
South Carolina authorities say 39-year-old James Vige was arrested and charged with hate intimidation (Photo: Charles County Sheriff’s Offic)
Vige continued to yell at the victim before punching him and shoving him to the ground, the statement said. The victim was not seriously injured and declined medical treatment, according to police.
Authorities said the men did not know each other.
Vige was also charged with assault and third-degree battery. He remained in jail with a hearing set for Friday, news outlets reported.
It was unclear whether he had an attorney who could comment on his behalf.