Three individuals were taken into custody and charged on Wednesday regarding a verbal dispute that took place in Virginia City, Nevada last week. The incident involved a Black man, Ricky Johnson, who claimed a racial slur was directed at him by a man who also made a disturbing comment about a “hanging tree” for people like him. Johnson was gathering signatures for a ballot measure during the Hot August Nights classic car festival in Virginia City when the altercation occurred.
In response to the alleged racist comments, Johnson began recording a video of the encounter. The footage shows a heated exchange between both parties, with profanity being exchanged. At one point, a woman can be heard telling Johnson he was on her property, leading to further confrontation as they moved the discussion onto the street. Although the specific racist remarks are not heard in the video, Johnson posted it on TikTok on August 2, which elicited a quick response from local and state officials condemning the incident.
Following an investigation by the Storey County Sheriff’s Office, two women and a man were arrested and placed in jail. The man seen in the video was charged with breach of peace, which includes making threatening remarks based on race. One of the women was charged with battery, while the other faced charges of obstructing a peace officer.
Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford, who is Black, commended the arrests, emphasizing that steps were taken to hold the individuals responsible for their racist and illegal behavior. Johnson, originally from Houston, was in Virginia City working for a Texas-based company called Advanced Micro Targeting Inc., which specializes in voter outreach services. The altercation occurred in the historic downtown area of Virginia City, known for its old mining town charm that attracts many tourists.
Reflecting on the incident, Johnson expressed his continued unease and mentioned feeling shaken by the experience. Before returning to Texas, he recounted the unsettling encounter.
