'Kill a Black man today': Machete attack on priest treated as hate crime

A Louisiana man faces hate crime charges after allegedly attacking a Black priest in Melville with a machete, reported KLFY on Friday.

"St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office confirms that Johnny Dwayne Neely, 58 of Palmetto is charged with attempted second degree murder, hate crimes, home invasion and a bench warrant," reported Natalie Mills. "

Witnesses said he approached the Rev. Stephen Ugwu, pastor of Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church, asking for food, the report said. The priest said no and he started attacking him with a machete.

According to the report, police said he was heard saying he "wanted to kill a Black man today."

The Diocese of Lafayette has stated that Ugwu is in the hospital with "lacerations to his head and body," the report said.”

FBI data indicate that the incidence of hate crimes has doubled since former President Donald Trump was first elected — and a number of other ugly incidents have made headlines around the country.

In Mississippi, Axel Cox was sentenced to prison after burning a cross on his lawn in 2020 to intimidate Black neighbors. And in Georgia in 2021, Larry Foxworth pleaded guilty to shooting up convenience stores in a plot to kill Arabs.