Arrests Made in Viral Racist Incident in Virginia City, Nevada [Video]

Three individuals were arrested and charged on Wednesday after a heated altercation involving racial slurs during the Hot August Nights classic car festival in Virginia City, Nevada.

Ricky Johnson, a Black man collecting signatures for a ballot measure, was verbally attacked with a racial slur and threatened with a “hanging tree” by a man at the event.

The Storey County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrests of Gary Miller, Janis Miller, and Tiffany Miller following the incident.

Johnson, who was in town working for Advanced Micro Targeting Inc., began recording the incident after the alleged racist comments. The video shows a loud, profanity-filled argument, with Johnson demanding the man repeat his offensive remarks on camera. As tensions escalated, a woman claimed Johnson was on her property and tried to move him off, while Johnson repeatedly asked her not to touch him.

The video, posted on TikTok on August 2, quickly went viral and drew condemnation from both local and state officials. The Storey County Sheriff’s Office conducted interviews and gathered evidence, leading to the arrests. Gary Miller faces a charge of violation of breach of peace, Janis Miller faces a charge of battery, and Tiffany Miller faces a charge of obstructing and delaying a peace officer, according to the Storey County Sheriff’s Office.

Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford praised the swift actions taken by law enforcement. “The public outcry was heard loud and clear, and steps have been taken to hold these individuals accountable for their racist and unlawful actions,” Ford said.

Johnson, who is from Houston, was collecting signatures for a proposed Nevada state ballot initiative aimed at capping fees that attorneys collect from clients in personal injury cases. Reflecting on the incident, Johnson told The Associated Press, “I’m still shaking every time I think about it.”