Gay man devastated after man burns his Corvette but police say no to hate crime
Seth Headley's car was burnt by Jackson Brookes who was charged with $5,000 only
By Steve Brown
A gay man is “devastated” after police said the person who burnt his car and gay flag was not motivated by hate.
Jackson Brooks, 21, was arrested by North Carolina police after he burnt Seth Headley’s Corvette and police charged him with burning personal property and booked him into jail with his bail set at $5,000.
However, the police did not announce a motive behind the attack but stressed it was not hate crime as Brooks was also charged in connection with burning another car.
Headley wrote on social media before Brooks’ arrest: “So I am devastated. This was my dream car. Someone early this morning saw that I had a pride flag.
“He was caught on camera with a bulletproof vest and a gun it looks like. He didn’t care he was seen, he took his time. He lit my corvette car cover on fire.
“Then he attempted to light my pride flag on fire. I have never had an issue before. I have lived in this house for years.
“I am sick and I am sure they won’t catch him. No justice will be served. This guy needs to be found, we still have no hard leads as of now.
“Until this guy is caught, we feel extremely uncomfortable in our home.”
But Headley believes the only reason his car was targeted was because of his sexual orientation and was furious when police only fined Brooks.
He said: “They made an arrest. He got a whopping $5,000 unsecured bond, that’s it, and he walked!
“I have never seen this man! I have never said one word to him! I don’t know why the police say they don’t feel it was a hate crime.
“Me and my partner feel we were a target! Thanks man for torching a classic 26-year-old car and putting my home and our lives and my animals at risk.
“This car is something I can’t afford to buy another regardless of insurance! Since he gets to walk right out of jail, we will always feel uncomfortable in our own home. No justice.”