A Georgia family says a peaceful gathering in Lee County turned into a frightening racial attack on June 7, when a man allegedly drove by their home in Leesburg shouting racist slurs before returning armed with an AR-15-style rifle and body armor. According to reporting cited by WALB and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, the confrontation took place on Autumn Leaf Drive while family members, who were mostly Black, were spending time outside together. Witnesses said the driver, later identified as 36-year-old Jeffrey Tyler Kinzer, first hurled the N-word and other racist insults from his vehicle before leaving the area.
Family members told WALB they initially tried to ignore the harassment and continued their gathering after he drove away. But they said the situation quickly escalated when Kinzer returned, this time wearing body armor and carrying a rifle. Witnesses described him as opening fire toward the group, sending people scrambling for cover. Several family members, including children, were reportedly present during the incident. Relatives said they believed the attack was racially motivated and feared someone would be killed.
Authorities said deputies responded to multiple reports of an active shooting. Investigators later described the case as stemming from a verbal altercation, but the family said the sequence of events made the motive clear. During the exchange of gunfire, Kinzer was shot and injured by a family member who the relatives say acted in self-defense after Kinzer allegedly began firing at them. Kinzer survived and was transported to a hospital for treatment before later being booked into the Lee County Jail after being cleared by medical personnel.
The sheriff’s office charged Kinzer with aggravated assault, and officials said additional charges may still be considered as the investigation continues. At the time of the reporting, authorities had not announced whether hate-crime-related charges would be pursued. The family, however, said the racist language allegedly used before the gunfire left little doubt about the nature of the confrontation and why they believe they were targeted.
No serious physical injuries were reported among the family members, but witnesses said the experience has left deep emotional trauma. One relative described lying on the ground during the shootout, taking cover under a car with an elderly family member while gunfire rang out. Another witness said she cried through the night after the incident. Family members told WALB the event is a painful reminder of how quickly hate can turn into lethal violence and how vulnerable Black families remain when racism is met with weapons.
The case remains under investigation.
