Key Takeaways
- A viral video shows Risha Natasha Chand using racial slurs in the Pinole parking lot, which is now being investigated as a hate crime.
- Community leaders condemn the incident, with Mayor Sasai stating racial slurs are “not welcome” in Pinole.
- Chand faces additional scrutiny with a pending theft case and has withdrawn from social media after the incident.
A disturbing video filmed in downtown Pinole has gone viral, showing a woman repeatedly using racial slurs during a heated exchange in a public parking lot.
The incident, now classified as a potential hate crime, has sparked outrage across the community and prompted a formal investigation by the Pinole Police Department.
Woman Identified As Risha Natasha Chand
The woman seen in the video, captured hurling the N-word multiple times and making personal insults, has been identified as Risha Natasha Chand, a woman of Indian origin.
There has been some confusion regarding Chand’s workplace: some online commenters claim she works in the pharmacy at Kaiser Pinole, while others point to her wearing a Bank of the West name tag during the incident.
Internet do your thing, Pinole, CA, Pear Street Bistro. She went on a racist rant towards my black/Mexican friend pic.twitter.com/oc6uUGuFlo
— PRESIDENTIAL KTG (@KennedyTheGreat) April 15, 2025
However, her exact employment has not been officially confirmed.
The confrontation took place on Sunday afternoon in a public parking lot.
In the video, Chand is seen sitting inside her car, shouting racial slurs and making disparaging comments about the other woman’s appearance, notably mocking her “fake eyelashes.”
The exchange ended with Chand shouting:
“Get outta my face, you f— n—.“
The woman who was subjected to the verbal assault, who wishes to remain anonymous, said she was targeted without any clear provocation.
“It’s quite unfortunate the verbiage she was using. It’s unacceptable,” she said. “I don’t understand why she was using it towards anybody in public at all.“
Police And Public Response
Pinole police officers responded to the scene and spoke with both parties.
In a statement, the Pinole Police Department confirmed:
“Due to the nature of the verbal exchange between the involved parties, the incident has been classified as a hate incident and is currently under investigation by the department’s criminal investigation bureau.“
THEY FOUND HER! Her name is Natasha Chand. Her work badge was screen shot from one of her IG posts. #NatashaChand #antiblackness #antiblack #antiblackracsim https://t.co/uIJaqlsBtI pic.twitter.com/UBj90ZHAvC
— YouDon't_DefineMe (@Cyndi_757VA) April 16, 2025
The video’s circulation helped quickly identify Chand, with local activist Felicia Carr playing a key role in spreading awareness.
“It’s really disheartening. We’re living in very trying times,” Carr said. “With racism at an all-time high, it was just blatant disrespect. It was sad to see.“
Carr emphasized that no matter the circumstances leading up to the exchange:
“It does not matter what transpired before. She was out of line.“
Pinole Mayor Cameron Sasai also voiced his outrage:
“Seeing the footage, I’m disturbed and outraged. The use of racial slurs, especially anti-Black rhetoric, is not welcome anywhere, especially in the city of Pinole.“
More Troubling Revelations
Adding to the controversy, it was also revealed that Chand has a pending criminal case involving repeated thefts from an Ulta Beauty store in Concord.
A local restaurant manager also told reporters that Chand had previously been a customer but is now no longer welcome after the incident.
Chand has since taken down parts of her social media, and attempts to reach her for comment have been unsuccessful.
This incident has once again spotlighted the ongoing issues of racism and hate speech in communities across America.
While investigations are underway, the message from residents and leaders alike is clear: Racism has no place in Pinole or anywhere else.
As this investigation continues, many call for education, accountability, and unity in the face of hate.
