Villagers are horrified after a black neighbor was attacked at his home in an apparently racially motivated act of aggression.
The residents gathered with representatives of law enforcement for a meeting Thursday night at La Hacienda Recreation Center.
“No individual or group of individuals has the right to determine who can or cannot live here,” said Lila Stevenson of the Village of Charlotte. “We should not have to fear this kind of hateful behavior in “Florida’s Friendliest Hometown!”
She and her neighbors were stunned when their 81-year-old African American neighbor in the Village of Charlotte was attacked at his home this past month. Sumter County sheriff’s deputies have identified and arrested a suspect, 37-year-old Kyle David Parrish of Umatilla.
The Villager was at home on April 26 when he heard a knock on his door. He believed it was a lawn service worker, so the Villager stepped outside through his garage. He went to speak to Parrish in the driveway.
The Villager did not know Parrish.
“Did you think I wouldn’t find you?” Parrish asked the Villager. “We don’t want your kind around here. Your kind are not welcome here.”
Parrish proceeded to punch the Villager in the face.
Parrish hopped into a white Ford pickup and fled the scene.
The Villager was able to obtain the truck’s license plate number. The license plate led to Parrish’s identity and the Villager who had been attacked was able to pick Parrish out of a photographic lineup. A warrant was issued for Parrish’s arrest and the attack has been classified as a hate crime.
He continues to be held at the Sumter County Detention Center on $20,000 bond.