Why hasn't Hampton assailant been charged with a hate crime?

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On Wednesday, the man believed to be responsible for an attack on a disabled woman, William Douglas, 25, turned himself into Hampton police.

Around 11:15 p.m, on Friday, April 16, Douglas allegedly followed 59-year-old Sylvia Hollingsworth out of a 7-Eleven at the corner of North King Street and Rip Rap Road in Hampton.

As she got into her car, he attacked her.

According to the police report, he punched the woman in the face, neck and arms and repeatedly slammed her legs with the car door. Throughout the ordeal, the woman was subjected to a tirade of racist profanity.

After the attacker’s ride sped away, the man fled the scene.

Police believe that a few minutes later, the Douglas shot at someone.

The victim told WVEC 13 News: “Never once did he try to take my keys. Never once did he ask or try to take my pocketbook or any money. He was just out to hurt.”

Hollingsworth continued: “It leaves me hurt, and I feel like I'm a victim of a hate crime. Just in his own words, he hated whites and he was going to kill my 'f---ing' white ass, as he put it, and that's what he was trying to do.”

Hollingsworth, who walks with a cane, is still recovering from the attack.

William Douglas has been charged with malicious wounding, shooting into an occupied vehicle and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

Despite the evidence pointing to a racially motivated attack, Douglas has not been charged with a hate crime.

 

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