
Young SC Man Killed in Hate Crime
GREENVILLE COUNTY, SC -- A 20 year old South
Carolina man died from the injuries he received after he was knocked
down on his way home from a bar early Wednesday morning and police is
treating the case as a hate crime.
Sean
William Kennedy, 20, was leaving Brew's Bar in Greenville County, South
Carolina, when a car pulled up next to him. Deputies believe 18 year old
Stephen Andrew Moller jumped out of the car, punched Kennedy, and then
took off.
Kennedy fell to the ground, and probably hit his head on the parking lot
pavement or a curb. Kennedy died from his injuries less than 24 hours
later.
Friends of Kennedy told WYYF News 4 that they think the alleged assault
was a hate crime because Kennedy was openly gay.
Master Deputy Michael Hildebrand said the case has been turned over to
the FBI who will determine whether or not to proceed with a hate crime
investigation. South Carolina doesn't have a statute that covers hate
crimes, so a federal agency would have to make the charges, according to
the Sheriff's Office.
Hildebrand said that witnesses and 'other investigative means' led
investigators to Moller. Through the investigation, deputies believe
that Moller made a comment about Kennedy's sexual orientation either
before or during the assault, according to Hildebrand and the warrant.
Moller is being detained without bond at Greenville County Detention
Center.
[Comments To This Article]
- [Back to News Headlines]
|