Viral video sparks protests in Columbia, SC

Black Lives Matter

Apr 15

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-de… — 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

[2021]

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 as… — 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.

summit protest columbia sc pentland 07356.JPG — *A driver raises their fist in support of protestors.*

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.

Update: In August of 2021, Pentland was convicted of third-degree assault. In September the U.S. Army stated, "Pentland has fulfilled his assignment obligation at Fort Jackson and is preparing to move to his next permanent duty station."