A Black lesbian couple is calling for accountability and federal hate crime charges after a violent encounter in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, escalated into an alleged racially motivated attack involving firearms, threats, and a car crash that left one victim with serious injuries.
Amylah Majors, 25, and her wife, Jamaria Gaskins, 24, say they were physically assaulted, threatened at gunpoint, and subjected to racial slurs by three white individuals in an incident that occurred on a rural road in late July. The altercation allegedly began when the couple pulled over to inspect mechanical issues with their car near a private residence.
According to a public statement Majors posted on GoFundMe, Mark Goodman initially approached them with a “thumbs up,” which they interpreted as a gesture of goodwill. However, she alleges that Goodman soon returned with Elizabeth Wolfrey and another unidentified man — all reportedly armed — who began yelling racial epithets and waving their weapons in a threatening manner.
Goodman allegedly exposed himself during the confrontation, while two of the individuals physically assaulted Gaskins, all while brandishing firearms and issuing threats.
Pursuit and Vehicle Crash
Fearing for their safety, Majors and Gaskins fled the scene and contacted law enforcement. They say the suspects pursued them in a vehicle and on a 4-wheeler. During the chase, one individual allegedly pulled alongside the couple and aimed a firearm directly at Majors’ head, prompting the couple’s car to crash.
Majors was ejected from the vehicle and sustained extensive injuries, including:
- A fractured spine
- A broken clavicle and rib
- A severe concussion
- Multiple head wounds requiring staples
Gaskins sustained minor injuries. The couple describes the incident as a life-threatening hate-based assault.
Charges and Legal Implications
Both Mark Goodman and Elizabeth Wolfrey were arrested and charged with misdemeanor offenses, including brandishing a firearm and indecent exposure. However, local law enforcement confirmed that the case remains under active investigation and that hate crime charges are being reviewed pending additional evidence.
Under Virginia Code § 52-8.5, hate crimes are defined as acts of violence, threats, or intimidation directed at a person because of race, religion, or sexual orientation. While misdemeanor charges have been filed, prosecutors could pursue enhanced penalties if bias is determined to be a motivating factor.
Legal analysts note that federal charges under 18 U.S. Code § 249 (Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act) may also be applicable if local prosecution fails to adequately address the civil rights concerns.
A spokesperson for the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that additional charges remain possible, including felony assault or hate crime enhancements, based on the outcome of forensic review and witness statements.
Victims Seek Federal Oversight and Legal Recourse
Civil rights advocates and legal experts say the reported facts — including the use of racial slurs, the presence of firearms, and the subsequent vehicular pursuit — present strong indicators of bias-based criminal intent. If corroborated, these details could satisfy the elements required to elevate charges from misdemeanors to felony hate crimes, both under state and federal law.
Attorneys following the case have also noted the importance of early federal involvement in situations where local prosecution appears insufficient to protect minority victims.
Meanwhile, Majors and Gaskins are seeking support through a GoFundMe campaign to cover extensive medical bills and long-term recovery costs. In her post, Majors said the couple was “assaulted, traumatized, and nearly killed” and is urging the legal system to treat the case with the seriousness it warrants.
Next Steps
The Commonwealth’s Attorney will ultimately determine whether to pursue felony charges or request hate crime enhancements. The case may also attract interest from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, depending on how the investigation progresses.
The legal community and public await further developments as pressure mounts for the charges to reflect the alleged racial and LGBTQ+ bias that fueled the attack.
