Three individuals were arrested and charged in connection with a verbal altercation that took place in Virginia City, Nevada, during the Hot August Nights classic car festival. The incident involved a Black man, Ricky Johnson, who reported being subjected to a racial slur and a threatening comment about a 'hanging tree.'
Johnson, who was collecting signatures for a ballot measure, began recording the encounter after the alleged racist comments were directed at him. The video captured a heated exchange between Johnson and the individuals involved, with profanity exchanged on both sides.
Following the incident, Johnson posted the video on TikTok, prompting swift condemnation from local and state officials. The Storey County Sheriff's Office conducted interviews with Johnson and others before forwarding evidence to the district attorney.
On Wednesday, two women and a man were arrested and charged in connection with the altercation. The man faced charges of breach of peace for making threatening comments based on race, while one woman was charged with battery and the other with interfering with a peace officer.
Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford, who is Black, commended the arrests, stating that steps had been taken to hold the individuals accountable for their actions.
Johnson, who was working for a Texas-based voter outreach company, was in Virginia City to collect signatures for a proposed Nevada state ballot initiative. The altercation occurred in downtown Virginia City, a popular tourist destination known for its historic charm.
Reflecting on the incident, Johnson expressed his distress, stating, 'I'm still shaking every time I think about it.' He has since returned to Texas following the ordeal.
