AL
June 21, 2015
Florence police have made an arrest in a group attack that left a father and son injured on June 5.
The victim said a group of 20 to 30 juveniles attacked him and his son during First Fridays at Wilson Park. The man said they beat him and used a stun gun on him while shouting racial slurs. He said they also shattered his car’s rear window while his wife and other child were inside.
Police confirmed they arrested 28-year-old Isiah Thornton on Tuesday. He is charged with third-degree assault and third-degree criminal mischief.
This case garnered attention as a possible hate crime because the group was all black and used racial slurs against a white family. Police have said this does not make it a hate crime.
Police are still looking for other suspects as the investigation continues.