A California couple was arrested on Friday for a hate crime and vandalism for a racist confrontation that occurred last week, according to local police.
The altercation happened on July 22 around 10:30 p.m. in Torrance California, according to a press release from Torrance Police Department. It began as a “road rage situation,” the press release said.
The suspects, Gregory and Rachel Howell, stopped their truck in front of a car driven by the victims, Itzel Lopez and her Black boyfriend, who were driving home from a birthday dinner when they observed the Howells following them, according to KTLA.
After stopping, Gregory Howell exited his truck and walked up to the victim’s car then yelled “white power” while doing the Nazi salute. His wife followed him out of the truck and yelled, “Only white lives matter,” according to the press release.
Gregory Howell then hit the victims’ car with a shovel as they tried to drive away. Meanwhile, Rachel Howell damaged the driver’s side mirror.
Following the incident, Lopez and her boyfriend filed a hate crime and vandalism police report. The department investigators obtained arrest warrants for the Howells the next day and located the couple for arrest on Friday.
According to NBC, the Gregory and Rachel Howell posted bail and were released the same day of their arrest.
“We were just in shock. We didn’t know what was going on,” Lopez told KTLA. “Never in my life did I think I was gonna experience this. It’s actually really scary. They don’t even know you and they’re willing to hurt you.”
Lopez posted footage of the altercation on Instagram, NBC reported.
In the video, Rachel Howell approached the victims’ car saying “Only white lives matter b—-” and Gregory Howell visibly holds up the Nazi salute.
*story by Insider