Man Indicted for Civil Rights Violations in NC

Maurice Gabriel Hopkins, 31, has been indicted on three federal civil rights charges for making racially charged threats at Zambies Pizza in Charlotte, North Carolina, in June 2024. Hopkins allegedly threatened a group of Indian patrons while armed with an assault rifle, making derogatory comments about their race, color, religion, and national origin. After being confronted, he left but returned with a firearm, demanding his pizza while pointing the gun at customers and a bystander. He has been charged with interference with federally protected activities, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and several local offenses including assault by pointing a gun. Hopkins was arrested shortly after the incident but was released on a $50,000 bond. Attempts to serve him a subpoena have reportedly been unsuccessful since his release.