Woman In Face Mask Fight: 'I Believe In White Power'

MCHENRY, IL — A McHenry woman faces battery and disorderly conduct charges following a fight Friday evening in a Home Depot after becoming angry that other customers were not wearing their face masks and making racist comments, authorities said.

The woman, who has been identified by police as Teri A. Hill, approached an employee to complain about the mask "issue" at about 5 p.m. Friday at the store, on Richmond Road in McHenry, according to media and police reports.

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During the exchange, the woman took her mask off. When a customer, Sydney Waters, who had been standing with the employee, asked Hill to put the mask back on, the situation became heated. Waters said Hill ripped off her own mask, told Waters she would spit in her face and cough on her, gave her the middle finger and started making racist comments.

Waters took out her phone and started recording, capturing part of the exchange on video. Warning: Video contains strong language.

When Waters told Hill that her "entitlement is disgusting," Hill replied, "Yes, I am entitled. I'm white. I'm a woman." Waters went on to ask, "What does you being white have to do with you being able to get your way?" and Hill replied, "Because I'm a white woman. That's what happens ... I believe in white power."

"You're a disgusting, racist piece of trash. Literally," Waters replied.

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Waters, who is also white, told the Northwest Herald that shortly after the exchange, the encounter turned physical and both women ended up wrestling on the ground and Hill ended up tearing off Waters' face mask.

“I’m not a spring chicken anymore — I have bruises everywhere. My shoulder is hurt. Nothing’s broken,” Waters told the Northwest Herald.

Minor injuries were initially reported at the scene, but neither customer needed immediate medical attention, police said. Hill was taken into custody and has since been released from custody on a personal recognizance bond.

She is next expected in court Aug. 19.

And Waters "bought her houseplants and went home," she told the Northwest Herald.

Police in McHenry are asking anyone with information regarding the incident to call the McHenry Police Department at 815-363-2599. Anyone wishing to pass along information anonymously are encouraged to call the McHenry Police Tip Line at 815-363-2124. All calls made to the tip line are anonymous, as caller ID is not used.

More via the Northwest Herald and ABC 7