Two Delaware firefighters are facing hate crime charges after they allegedly chased their Black co-worker with a noose.

According to Atlanta Back Star, 27-year-old Jay Droney and Jordan Hastings, 23, firefighters with the Millville Volunteer Fire Company, were charged over a year after chasing a co-worker around the station while carrying a rope tied in the shape of a noose, police said.

Droney also hurled a racist comment at the victim during the February 2024 chase, according to police.

Both volunteer firefighters were fired by the Millville Fire Company. The pair turned themselves in last week on charges of hate crimes, conspiracy, and harassment.

In a statement, the Milville Volunteer Fire Company addressed questions surrounding why it took over a year for Droney and Hastings to face consequences.

“After becoming aware of the allegations that an employee had been racially harassed by volunteer members, the Millville Volunteer Fire Company (MVFC) promptly initiated an internal investigation,” the statement reads. “Our findings provided sufficient evidence to notify and involve the Delaware State Police. MVFC identified two volunteer members accused of racially harassing behavior towards an employee. As a result of that internal investigation, the MVFC has decided to permanently revoke the memberships of the two volunteer members. They are no longer members of the fire company. It is important to note that the Delaware State Police has arrested the two individuals connected to the matter, both charged with hate crimes.”

“MVFC acted decisively and swiftly and will not tolerate this kind of behavior,” it continued. “Moving forward, we will be implementing a Harassment/Discrimination Prevention and Reporting Training Program for Officers, Supervisors, Employees, and Members as soon as practical. Additionally, an immediate review of current policies is underway and will be updated accordingly.”

Delaware House Speaker Melissa Minor-Brown, Majority Leader Kerri Evelyn Harris, and Majority Whip Ed Osienski issued a joint statement condemning the incident, noting that “lynching is not a joke."

“It is something that Black Americans still unfortunately live in fear of,” they said. “No one, and especially not someone who puts their safety on the line to protect others, should ever be subjected to the kind of hateful and threatening behavior that a Millville Volunteer Fire Company employee went through at the hands of his colleagues.”

The Black Information Network is your source for Black News! Get the latest news 24/7 on The Black Information Network. Listen now on the iHeartRadio app or click HERE to tune in live.

Weather

Current Weather