Archie Claybon’s Ford F-350 was allegedly incendiary bombed and spray-painted with racist language. | Photo by Archie Claybon.
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Archie Claybon woke up around 1:45 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 20, to a call from the Eureka Police Department. She said her truck was on fire and she and her fiancé needed to go outside and meet at the end of the block.she said to outpost on Thursday.
When they got there, he paid $10,000 to wrap his highly customized 2004 Ford F-350 with an advertisement for his tile business, Claybon’s Custom Tile and Design. he said he saw it. A closer look revealed the n-word had been spray-painted over the passenger-side rear tire.
“It’s Black History Month and they put the n-word on my truck…” Claibon said. “I feel like whoever did this, they have something wrong in their head, a whole other level of racism. In 2024, it’s like burning a cross on your front door. I feel like it’s the same.”
Eureka Police Department spokeswoman Laura Montagna could only say that the incident remains under investigation.
Meanwhile, Claybon said he is puzzled as to why someone would do something like this. Whether it’s a personal grudge or the fact that he’s been parking his truck along Harris Street between Williams and D for weeks, taking advantage of the traffic and visibility. He doesn’t know if anger was the motive.
Claybon said he had been in contact with the city’s Code Enforcement Division regarding an anonymous complaint that his truck had been parked in the same spot for more than 72 hours, but that he was concerned about the violent nature of the incident and the lack of discovery. He said he didn’t think that would explain the hateful words. .
“A lot of people asked me, ‘What should I do?’ [the alleged perpetrator] Do you know I’m black? Well, my last name says it all,” Claibon said, adding that his family has lived in Humboldt County since the 1970s and he has lived here for about 13 years.
Claybon said he has spent about $50,000 on his work truck over the past two years, adding “engine, transmission, four-wheel drive, turbo, wraps, paint, rims and a complete refurbishment.” “It was basically new. The only thing that was original was the leather seats.”
He said he doubts his insurance will fully cover the value of the truck and the damage to his business, and that some have recommended he start a GoFundMe campaign to recoup some of his losses. But that’s not his style.
“If you know someone you want to help, please tell your friends.” [about my business]” he said, adding his motto: “When I tile, you smile.”
“I’ve faced a lot of challenges along the way. This is a problem that can’t be solved with a little blood, sweat and tears,” Claybon said.
Below is video footage he took of the truck after the fire was extinguished.
