Chattanooga man accused of racially motivated crimes against three African Americans

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF) – A Chattanooga man with a violent criminal past is now facing multiple counts of criminal charges that police have deemed racially motivated.

Daniel Weaver, 37, of Chattanooga was arrested on Monday and charged with three counts of civil rights intimidation, three counts of setting fires to personal property and three counts of vandalism.

According to an arrest affidavit obtained by News 12, the charges against Weaver stem from a Sunday night incident in the 5000 block of Carolyn Lane. Chattanooga police were called to that block in reference to a disorder involving Weaver.

When an officer arrived on scene, he was told that Weaver was screaming racial obscenities before dousing several vehicles in gasoline. The owners of those vehicles told police that Weaver had been screaming, “I’ll kill you n—ers” and “Come down to my house I’ll shoot all you n—ers!”

According to the alleged victims, after weaver shouted out racial threats, he returned to his home where he reportedly grabbed a gasoline can.

Weaver was reportedly identified by several other witnesses who told police he was sparking a lighter over the vehicles that were doused with gasoline.

When police took Weaver into custody, he reportedly told officers that earlier in the day; he was approached by a driver in a Mercedes who pulled a gun on him after he approached the driver’s vehicle. He then told police the vehicle sped away and believed the Mercedes had come from a house across the street from where he lived.

After further interrogation at Chattanooga Police headquarters, Weaver reportedly confessed to dousing three vehicles with gasoline before sparking a lighter, but he also told police he never intended on setting fires.

According to authorities, the crime was believed to be racially motivated based on racial slurs allegedly yelled by Weaver.

His bond was $41,000 and his arraignment in court is set for January 12.

It’s unclear if Weaver has an attorney.

Weaver is no stranger to trouble involving violence. Hamilton County court records show he was convicted of domestic assault back in 2010.