LOS ANGELES- A lawyer for sheriff’s deputies who fired 120 rounds at an unarmed driver rejected on Monday the Rev. Jesse Jackson’s contention that the shooting was a hate crime.
Jackson made the comment Sunday after paying a hospital visit to Winston Hayes, 44, who’s recovering from four gunshot wounds.
“This is in fact a hate crime. It is a violation of Mr. Hayes’ civil rights,” Jackson said, calling on the FBI to investigate the incident.
Attorney Gregory Emerson, who represents the 10 sheriff’s deputies, said in response: “Mr. Jackson’s comments are self-serving, inflammatory, irresponsible and pathetic.”
Deputies shot at Hayes’ SUV following a brief pursuit May 9. A deputy also was wounded.
The shooting, caught on videotape, sparked anger in the Compton community. The deputies have expressed their remorse to residents, but not to Hayes.
Some deputies thought Hayes matched the description of a suspect who had shot two deputies, while others thought he was trying to ram them, according to a preliminary investigation by the sheriff’s department.
Officials later said Hayes did not shoot at any deputies.