2 Arrested in Racial Attack, Deputies Say

A 22-year-old man and 16-year-old boy were arrested Tuesday in Lancaster on suspicion of a racially motivated attack on two black teenagers, one of whom was slashed with a machete-like weapon, Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies said.

Another 15-year-old was detained for questioning in the attack, in which the two teenagers were assaulted Monday night by three “skinhead types” giving the Nazi salute and shouting “white power,” deputies said.

Danny Williams, 22, and the 16-year-old, both of Lancaster, were arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and committing a hate crime, sheriff’s Deputy Diane Hecht said.

African American activists protested Tuesday that Antelope Valley officials have ignored racial animosities in the area and failed to implement recommendations made by the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Rights after another skinhead attack last year.

In the latest incident, Marcus Cotton, 16, was walking with his cousin, Angela McKenzie, 17, to her home a few blocks from his family’s residence about 11 p.m. Monday when the three suspects drove past them, yelled “white power” and made a U-turn to run down and assault the pair, deputies said. Cotton, who suffered four minor cuts on his back and shoulders, was treated at a local hospital and released.