Three individuals were taken into custody by authorities in Virginia City following a reported racial incident that occurred over the weekend. Gary Miller, Janis Miller, and Tiffany Miller were arrested on misdemeanor charges, as confirmed by Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford and the Storey County Sheriff’s Office. Gary Miller is facing a charge of breaching the peace, Janis Miller is charged with battery, and Tiffany Miller is charged with obstructing a peace officer.
The arrests took place on Wednesday night at the Storey County Jail. The incident, as well as any threats made to officials following the event, are currently being investigated. Virginia City is located approximately 15 miles from Carson City and 25 miles from Reno.
The Storey County Sheriff’s Office had been looking into a TikTok video where a Black man reported that a white man had made racist comments towards him during the Hot August Nights classic car event. The sheriff’s office released a statement expressing their disapproval of racism, inequality, and hate speech.
The video, recorded by a Black man who was not visible in the footage, captured the alleged racist remarks made by a white man referred to as “Uncle Ricky” on TikTok. The video shows the white man gesturing towards the Black man and making derogatory comments, including mentioning a “hanging tree for people like me” in the city. A heated argument ensued, with some individuals showing support for the Black man while others did not. Eventually, a woman claiming ownership of the property intervened and escorted the man away from the scene.
Following the arrests, Attorney General Aaron Ford released a statement acknowledging the public outcry and emphasizing the importance of holding individuals accountable for their racist actions. He commended Sheriff Cullen and his team for their swift response to the incident. Governor Joe Lombardo also expressed his concern and disappointment regarding the incident, stating that racism and hate have no place in Nevada.
The Virginia City Tourism Commission issued a statement condemning the confrontation as “hateful and racist,” emphasizing their stance against any form of hatred or violence. The community response to the incident has been met with calls for unity and denouncement of racist behavior.
As investigations continue into the incident, authorities are urging the public to refrain from making threats of violence towards community members and law enforcement. The need for peaceful resolution and condemnation of racism remains a top priority for officials in Virginia City and beyond.
