Three arrested after alleged racist encounter in Nevada

( NewsNation ) — Three people have been arrested and charged in connection with a verbal altercation in Nevada during which a racial slur was allegedly directed at a Black man during a vintage car show.

The arrests stem from a video recorded by Ricky Johnson, who is Black. He confronted a Virginia City man after the man allegedly made the racist comment that “they have a hanging tree” for people like Johnson.

The incident occurred when Johnson was collecting signatures for a ballot measure at the Hot August Nights classic car festival. He began recording after the alleged racist comments were made.

In the video, Johnson demands that the man, who is white, repeat the words on video. A loud, profanity-filled argument ensued, and a woman eventually told Johnson he was on her property. Johnson repeatedly asks her not to touch him as the conversation moves into the street, the video shows.

The “hanging tree” comment isn’t repeated on the video, nor are any racial slurs.

Johnson posted the video to TikTok on Aug. 2, which drew swift condemnation from local and state officials regarding the alleged remark. The Storey County Sheriff’s Office interviewed Johnson and others involved and turned over evidence to the district attorney.

On Aug. 7, three suspects — two women and one man — were arrested and booked into jail.

Gary Miller was charged with breach of peace, a gross misdemeanor that includes making threatening comments based on race. Janis Miller was charged with battery, and Tiffany Miller was charged with interfering with a peace officer, both misdemeanors.

Johnson, who is from Houston, was in Virginia City working for Advanced Micro Targeting Inc., a Texas-based company that provides voter outreach. He was collecting signatures for a proposed Nevada state ballot initiative aimed at capping attorney fees in personal injury cases.

“I’m still shaking every time I think about it,” Johnson told The Associated Press by phone Monday before returning to Texas.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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