A Black lesbian couple from Virginia is demanding justice after what they describe as a terrifying, racially motivated attack by a group of armed white individuals that led to a near-fatal car crash in Spotsylvania County.
Amylah Majors, 25, and her wife, Jamaria Gaskins, 24, say they were inspecting their vehicle along a rural road when their nightmare began.
According to Majors, the couple had pulled over due to car trouble when a man, later identified as Mark Goodman, emerged from a nearby home and gave them a “thumbs up,” leading them to believe help was on the way.
But what followed, they claim, was a brutal and unprovoked attack.
Chased, Threatened, and Traumatized
In a harrowing GoFundMe post, Majors recounted the ordeal:
“We were chased, threatened with firearms, and called racial slurs by three white individuals who acted as if they were part of a white supremacist group. Two of them physically attacked my wife while brandishing a gun and shouting threats.”
Alongside Goodman, Elizabeth Wolfrey and an unidentified man allegedly exited the same home, shouting racist slurs and waving firearms. Majors says one of the individuals, reportedly Goodman, even exposed himself during the altercation.
In a panic, the couple called 911 and tried to flee in their vehicle, but the alleged attackers reportedly pursued them. One of them is said to have pulled alongside the couple on a 4-wheeler, pointing a gun directly at Majors’ head.
That’s when tragedy struck. Their car crashed violently. Majors was ejected from the vehicle, suffering life-altering injuries, including:
- A fractured spine
- A broken clavicle and rib
- A severe concussion
- Multiple head wounds requiring staples
Her wife, Gaskins, sustained minor physical injuries, but both were left deeply traumatized.
“In that moment, we truly believed we weren’t going to make it out alive,” Majors said. “I am beyond grateful to be alive.”
Minimal Charges Spark Outrage
So far, Goodman and Wolfrey have only been charged with misdemeanors — including brandishing a firearm and indecent exposure.
But the couple, along with civil rights advocates, argue that’s not nearly enough.
Given the racial slurs, alleged pursuit, and threats involving firearms, attorneys and activists are now calling for hate crime charges to be filed.
The Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the investigation is still ongoing and that hate crime enhancements are under consideration pending further evidence.
Seeking Justice and Support
As Majors recovers from her injuries, the couple is using their platform to raise awareness and seek financial help for medical bills and ongoing trauma care.
They’ve launched a GoFundMe campaign detailing the emotional and physical toll of the attack.
Civil rights groups have begun monitoring the case, saying it echoes a disturbing rise in racially and LGBTQ+ motivated violence, particularly in rural areas with limited law enforcement oversight.
Legal and Community Response
Legal experts say that Virginia’s hate crime statute does apply when bias is a motivating factor behind an assault or threat. However, hate crime charges are rarely filed without overwhelming evidence, such as recorded language or confessions.
Still, the combination of racial slurs, firearms, and pursuit could meet the legal threshold for a hate crime, according to one former prosecutor.
Community activists and local organizations are also planning to rally for justice, demanding accountability for what they call a modern-day lynch mob attack.
A Call for Accountability
For Majors and Gaskins, the road to healing will be long — physically, emotionally, and legally.
“We were assaulted, traumatized, and nearly killed,” Majors wrote. “We just want justice. We want people to know this is still happening — and we deserve to feel safe.”
