A Virginia sheriff apologized to a Black pastor who was arrested for trying to defend himself against a group of white people yelling threats and racial slurs.

McCray claimed the group was using racial slurs  “telling me that my black life and the Black Lives Matter stuff, they don’t give a darn about that stuff in this county, and they could care less and ‘We would kill you.

While McCray was being arrested, the group continued to threaten him and shout racial slurs.

“Mr. McCray met with me on Wednesday the 3rd of June, and after talking with him about the incident, it was apparent to me that the charge of brandishing was certainly not appropriate,” the sheriff said in a statement.

Amanda Salyers was charged with misdemeanor assault by a mob and assault in a hate crime.