|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
by ERIN PARROTT
***
A Darlington County, South Carolina man is facing a criminal charge after state investigators say he repeatedly posted violent and inflammatory rhetoric on social media – including comments referencing mass shootings, antisemitism and political violence.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) charged 22-year-old Zayne Daniel Smith with breach of peace of a high and aggravated nature on Friday (August 7, 2026). The investigation was requested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
According to a SLED warrant affidavit included with the release, investigators allege Smith used his account on X – formerly Twitter – to publish a series of derogatory and threatening posts between March 16, 2026 and August 3, 2026.
***
Among those posts was a May 18, 2026 comment about the San Diego mosque attack in which Smith allegedly wrote, “Brother come on,” before making additional references to committing violence.
Eight days later, investigators said Smith posted a photograph of a rifle featuring a white cross and wrote, “just needs some white text on it and then were rollin.”
The warrant alleged Smith also responded to a post about suicide by suggesting “there’s always a couple people who need to come with you,” specifically referencing IRS agents.
In another post, Smith allegedly wrote that he had his “own plans and things,” adding that America was “in need of a revolt” and that “heroes make change alone,” according to the affidavit.
***
***
Investigators say the rhetoric continued into July, when Smith allegedly posted a photograph of several high-caliber rifle magazines arranged in the shape of a Nazi symbol and asked what he should write on them.
The affidavit further alleged Smith made posts referencing past mass shooters as well as antisemitic, sexist, homophobic, racist and anti-government statements.
SLED investigators alleged Smith’s rhetoric “disrupts public order and incites further violence,” providing probable cause for the breach of peace charge.
Smith was booked into the Darlington County detention center, where he awaits prosecution by the S.C. Fourth Circuit solicitor’s office. Although the charge he is facing is a misdemeanor, he was denied bond and remains incarcerated as of this writing.
***
RELATED | COLUMBIA SLAMMED FOR FREE SPEECH INFRINGEMENT
***
As with all defendants, Smith is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
FITSNews reached out to SLED seeking clarification on what the agency believes distinguishes constitutionally protected speech from comments that rise to the level of “breaching the peace,” and received the following statement from Chief Mark Keel: “SLED takes online threats very seriously. This case demonstrates the importance of throughly investigating threats prior to someone acting upon them. SLED will continue to proactively work these cases to ensure the safety of our citizens.”
Our founding editor Will Folks has previously opined that speech shifts from protected to potentially prosecutable when it specifically threatens to “deprive others of their life, liberty or property.” Given the primacy of the First Amendment, though, FITSNews has repeatedly editorialized that such shifts must be clearly demarcated and evenly enforced.
Stay tuned to our media outlet for any relevant updates to Smith’s case…
BANNER VIA: GETTY IMAGES
***
ABOUT THE AUTHOR…
Erin Parrott is a Greenville, S.C. native who graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2025 with a bachelor degree in broadcast journalism. Got feedback or a tip for Erin? Email her here.
***
SOUND OFF…
Got something you’d like to say in response to one of our articles? Or an issue you’d like to address proactively? We have an open microphone policy! Submit your letter to the editor (or guest column) via email HERE. Got a tip for a story? CLICK HERE. Got a technical question or a glitch to report? CLICK HERE.
