Two volunteer firefighters from Millville, Delaware, are receiving widespread criticism throughout the state after they have been fired and charged with hate crimes.
On April 9, 2025, Delaware State Police have been notified of the incident by the Millville Volunteer Hearth Firm administration. It occurred 14 months earlier, when Jay Droney, 27, of Millville, and Jordan Hastings, 23, of Delmar, chased a fellow volunteer firefighter across the station whereas carrying a rope tied within the form of a noose, police mentioned. The Millville administration mentioned they first heard about it final week.
Droney made a racist remark towards the sufferer as they chased him, based on police. Investigators additionally mentioned Droney made extra racist feedback to the sufferer on a number of events after the primary incident.
Warrants have been obtained for Droney and Hastings on Tuesday. They turned themselves in and face prices of hate crimes, conspiracy and harassment.
Each have been dismissed from the Millville Hearth Firm.
Delaware Home Speaker Melissa Minor-Brown, Majority Chief Kerri Evelyn Harris, and Majority Whip Ed Osienski issued a joint assertion agreeing that “lynching isn’t a joke,” including that a lot of their members of the family “lived in worry of and fought in opposition to” it.
“It’s one thing that Black Individuals nonetheless sadly dwell in worry of,” they mentioned. “Nobody, and particularly not somebody who places their security on the road to guard others, ought to ever be subjected to the type of hateful and threatening habits {that a} Millville Volunteer Hearth Firm worker went by by the hands of his colleagues.”
It’s unclear why a lot time transpired between the precise incident in February 2024 and the reporting of it. The Millville Volunteer Hearth Firm launched the next assertion detailing how they dealt with the allegation.
“After turning into conscious of the allegations that an worker had been racially harassed by volunteer members, the Millville Volunteer Hearth Firm (MVFC) promptly initiated an inner investigation,” the assertion reads. “Our findings supplied enough proof to inform and contain the Delaware State Police. MVFC recognized two volunteer members accused of racially harassing habits in the direction of and worker. Because of that inner investigation, the MVFC has determined to completely revoke the memberships of the 2 volunteer members. They’re not members of the hearth firm. You will need to be aware that the Delaware State Police has arrested the 2 people related to the matter, each charged with hate crimes.”
“MVFC acted decisively and swiftly and won’t tolerate this type of habits,” it continued. “Transferring ahead, we shall be implementing a Harassment/Discrimination Prevention and Reporting Coaching Program for Officers, Supervisors, Workers, and Members as quickly as sensible. Moreover, an instantaneous evaluation of present insurance policies is underway and shall be up to date accordingly.”
A bipartisan group led by Delaware Senate Democrats and Republicans issued a joint assertion condemning the incident as “abhorrent” and standing in “stark distinction” with Delaware’s values. They mentioned they spoke with “one voice in condemning all acts of hatred, racism, and discrimination” and applauded the immediate motion taken by the state police and native authorities.
“Hate has no place in our firehouses, our communities, or anyplace in our state. The fireplace service exists to guard life and property with out prejudice or bias,” the Senate leaders mentioned. “The habits described on this case violates not solely the legislation, however the belief and dignity that ought to outline public service.”
No court docket date has been set but for Droney and Hastings.