Couple With 'White Power' Tattoos Charged With Hate Crime For Allegedly Murdering Black Veteran

A California couple has been charged with hate crime for allegedly stabbing and shooting a Black Navy veteran at a gas station last week, officials said.

Suspects Jeremy Wayne Jones, 49, and Christina Lyn Garner, 42, from Stockton, were arrested on charges of first-degree murder and hate crime for allegedly killing 30-year-old Justin Peoples on March 15, NBC News reported.

A third suspect identified as Christopher Dimenco, 52, was also arrested on accessory charges.

On the day of the incident, Justin went to a Chevron gas station in the city of Tracy, along with his girlfriend to get quarters for laundry. While Justin's girlfriend stayed in the car, he entered the gas station and was followed by the suspects, Justin's father Maurice Peoples said.

The emergency officers who responded to the scene later found Justin lying on the floor with multiple stab wounds and a gunshot wound to his upper body. He was taken to a hospital but was pronounced dead two hours later, CBS SF Bay Area reported.

Meanwhile, it is unclear if the couple had arguments with Justin before they allegedly murdered him.

Images of the suspects released by the prosecutors showed them with tattoos of a Swastika and the words "white power." The district attorney's office said Justin was intentionally killed because of his race, color, religion, nationality, or country of origin. However, the officials have not released additional details of the incident.

Justin joined the Navy in 2010 and was medically discharged a year later, Maurice said. "When he came around you could feel the light from his smile," Maurice said, describing his son as "a remarkable young man."

"There is no place for hate in our community. No one should be victimized because of their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or religion," District Attorney Tori Verber Salazar said. "These types of crimes are reprehensible and my administration will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law to hold those who perpetuate hate accountable," Salazar added.

The suspects were remanded to custody and are scheduled to appear in the San Joaquin County Superior Court on April 4.