Hate Crimes · September 26, 2026
A key development in hate crimes is unfolding as new documentation and legal actions emerge.
Key Facts & Timeline
- Lawsuit: Black firefighter alleges retaliation after reporting noose in Lowcountry fire station (reported by live5news.com)
- Independent documentation and public filings confirm ongoing administrative actions impacting this sector.
- Community organizations and legal advocates are monitoring the implementation timeline closely.
The Sourced Developments
CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCSC) — A Black firefighter says he found a noose tied around a training mannequin in his own fire station, then got interrogated for reporting it. Randy Brown is a Black firefighter who has worked for the St. Johns Fire District for more than 17 years.[1]
On Wednesday, Brown filed a federal lawsuit against St. Johns Fire District and its Chief Ryan Kunitzer for racial discrimination and retaliation. Court documents state Brown discovered a noose tied around the neck of a dark-skinned training mannequin inside his own fire station on Sept. 12, 2025.[1]
The CPR mannequin was used for training and only accessible to fire personnel, not the general public, the lawsuit states. Brown believes it was displayed by crew and motivated by race.[1]
Brown reported the noose immediately, according to the lawsuit. It goes on to claim the St. Johns Fire District has never identified or disciplined the person responsible, never acknowledged the incident, and left the investigation unpursued.[1]
The lawsuit claims instead, the fire district turned its investigation on Brown and demanded he submit to a law-enforcement polygraph examination as though he were the suspect. On June 25, the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission transmitted its determination and notice of rights on Brown’s charge of racial discrimination.[1]
Legal & Administrative Background
The documents were sent to Kunitzer, according to the lawsuit. The next day, Kunitzer allegedly wrote directly to Brown, branded him as having “declined to cooperate,” declared the investigation exhausted, and closed the investigation.[1]
The United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission decided to dismiss the charge but stated a dismissal “does not mean the claims have no merit.” According to the lawsuit, Brown suffered and continues to suffer emotional distress, humiliation and concern for his personal safety.[1]
Brown is suing the St. Johns Fire District and Kunitzer for race-based hostile work environment, retaliation and deprivation of equal protection. Kunitzer was contacted regarding his response to the allegations.[1]
He told Live 5 News the department takes the matter very seriously and that they conducted a full investigation. Due to pending litigation, Kunitzer could not provide further comment.[1]
Read the full lawsuit below: FOR THE DISTRICT OF SOUTH CAROLINA CHARLESTON DIVISION RANDY BROWN, Plaintiff, ST. JOHN’S FIRE DISTRICT and RYAN KUNITZER, individually, Defendants.[1]
Community Impact & Sourced Perspectives
COMPLAINT AND DEMAND FOR TRIAL BY JURY JURY TRIAL DEMANDED Plaintiff Randy Brown (“Plaintiff” or “Brown”), residing in the Town of Moncks Corner, County of Berkeley, State of South Carolina, by and through his undersigned counsel, hereby alleges and complains against Defendants St. John’s Fire District (the “District”) and Ryan Kunitzer (“Chief Kunitzer,” and together with the District, “Defendants”) as follows:[1]
PRELIMINARY STATEMENT JURISDICTION AND VENUE PARTIES fire, rescue, and emergency medical services to Johns Island, Wadmalaw Island, Kiawah Island, and Seabrook Island in Charleston County, South Carolina. STATEMENT OF FACTS A. Plaintiff’s Employment.[1]
C. Plaintiff’s Report and His Request for Acknowledgment. after, and within one day of, receiving notice that Plaintiff had taken his complaint of race discrimination to the EEOC.[1]
each made or ratified by the District’s final policymakers and constitute official policy of the District. 1Equal Justice Initiative, Lynching in America: Confronting the Legacy of Racial Terror (Montgomery, Ala.).[1]
2Equal Justice Initiative, Lynching in America: Confronting the Legacy of Racial Terror (3d ed. 2017). L. No. 117-107 (2022) (codified at 18 U.S.C. § 249(a)(5)).[1]
Opportunity Comm’n, Press Release, EEOC Chairwoman Responds to Surge of Workplace Noose Incidents at NAACP Annual Convention (July 13, 2000).[1]
What You Can Do Right Now
- Stay Informed: Follow verified primary sources and official public agency records to track ongoing developments.
- Examine Official Filings: Review complete docket filings and press announcements from originating organizations.
- Engage Civic Channels: Contact local elected representatives and community boards regarding public policy impacts.
- Share Verified Information: Distribute fact-checked reporting and primary documentation within your community networks.
Interactive Tracker & Community Resources
How to Verify This Yourself
Read the original reporting directly at live5news.com — that page contains the source reporting for this update.
References
- live5news.com. Lawsuit: Black firefighter alleges retaliation after reporting noose in Lowcountry fire station. ↩
Investigative methodology: this update was produced by scripts/topic_news_roundup.py from real live5news.com reporting — not a language model. The quoted text above is verbatim from the source, cited; no analysis or interpretation is added.
Kemetic Minds Editorial Desk
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