A 13-year-old was charged in Richland County, South Carolina, with a hate crime tied to a burglary investigation after deputies responded to extensive damage at a vacant home on Coatesdale Road on May 14, including racial slurs and antisemitic graffiti with sw
Columbia, S.C. — On May 14, Richland County deputies went to a vacant home on Coatesdale Road after someone reported concerns about the property. What they found inside was damage that went beyond break-in signs: large holes in the walls, a door that had been kicked in, and several broken windows.
Deputies say a witness told them they arrived to check on the home for the owner, but noticed a bicycle outside and two minors running from the property.
The investigation later centered on what was spray-painted inside. Richland County Sheriff’s Department officials said the scene included several graffiti messages containing racial slurs and antisemitic messaging that included the use of swastikas. Photos from the scene were provided to WIS, with the offensive messaging altered to censor it.
The person charged is a 13-year-old suspect, who was not identified due to their age. The Richland County Sheriff’s Department said the teen is being charged under the county’s hate crime ordinance, along with counts of third-degree burglary and malicious injury to property.
Deputies later located the 13-year-old at a home nearby. The department said deputies spoke with other witnesses and matched the teen to the description that had been provided. During a search warrant, paint cans were also found at the teen’s home.
After the arrest, the teen was taken to the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice. Authorities say they are still working to identify the second suspect.
Anyone with information is asked to call Richland County Sheriff’s Department at 803-576-3000 or CrimeStoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.
Richland County South Carolina hate crime ordinance third-degree burglary malicious injury to property Coatesdale Road graffiti racial slurs antisemitic messaging swastikas South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice