Viral video sparks protests in Columbia, SC
Protestors demonstrate along Lakemont Drive in the Summit where a Ft. Jackson Army soldier was seen in a viral video pushing and shoving a young Black man the day before in Columbia, SC. The soldier, Jonathan Pentland, has been charged with third-degree assault and battery.
Photos by Sean Rayford
Protesters gathered yesterday around noon outside the home of Ft. Jackson Army soldier Jonathan Pentland — some remaining into the night in the Summit subdivision in Northeast Columbia. After appearing in a viral video, pushing and shoving a young Black man the day before, authorities announced the soldier has been charged with third-degree assault and battery, booked and released.
Protestors walk along Lakemont Drive in the Summit where a Ft. Jackson Army soldier was seen in a viral video pushing and shoving a young Black man the day before in Columbia, SC. The soldier, Jonathan Pentland, has been charged with third-degree assault and battery.
After sunset, a man with a baseball bat smashed a light fixture and threw an object through an upstairs window at Pentland’s home. Several demonstrators spoke with the man and he left. About 15-20 minutes later police officers arrived at the scene and told protestors that family members and a babysitter were inside, but not the army soldier. They told protestors they needed to stay off private property and out of the road.
One officer told a demonstrator that they had apprehended the vandalism suspect as he drove out of the neighborhood — and that he would spend the night in jail. Authorities announced that they removed the people inside the Pentland home.
Another protest is scheduled today at the SC Statehouse at 11 a.m.
A man parks a motorcycle under a Wave Runner body as protestors demonstrate along Lakemont Drive in the Summit where a Ft. Jackson Army soldier was seen in a viral video pushing and shoving a young Black man the day before in Columbia, SC. The soldier, Jonathan Pentland, has been charged with third-degree assault and battery.
State Rep. Ivory Thigpen (D-Richland) speaks to protestors along Lakemont Drive in the Summit where a Ft. Jackson Army soldier was seen in a viral video pushing and shoving a young Black man the day before in Columbia, SC. The soldier, Jonathan Pentland, has been charged with third-degree assault and battery.
A woman talks with a man holding a baseball bat in front of the home of Ft. Jackson Army soldier Jonathan Pentland as protesters gathered along Lakemont Drive in the Summit in Columbia, SC. Pentland was charged with third-degree assault and battery after appearing in a viral video pushing and shoving a young Black man the day before. The man with the bat would later break a window and light.
Protestors gather along Lakemont Drive in the Summit where a Ft. Jackson Army soldier was seen in a viral video pushing and shoving a young Black man the day before in Columbia, SC. The soldier, Jonathan Pentland, has been charged with third-degree assault and battery.
Protestors gather along Lakemont Drive in the Summit where a Ft. Jackson Army soldier was seen in a viral video pushing and shoving a young Black man the day before in Columbia, SC. The soldier, Jonathan Pentland, has been charged with third-degree assault and battery.
Protestors gather along Lakemont Drive in the Summit where a Ft. Jackson Army soldier was seen in a viral video pushing and shoving a young Black man the day before in Columbia, SC. The soldier, Jonathan Pentland, has been charged with third-degree assault and battery.
Police stand in front of the home of Ft. Jackson Army soldier Jonathan Pentland with protesters gathered along Lakemont Drive in the Summit in Columbia, SC. Pentland was charged with third-degree assault and battery after appearing in a viral video pushing and shoving a young Black man the day. before.
Sean Rayford is a photojournalist based in Columbia, South Carolina. See more at seanrayford.com