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Dad Accused Of Urging Racial Fight

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By LISA A. DAVIS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 8, 2008

HUDSON - It wasn't the first time a 48-year-old white man had slung racial slurs or derogatory names in the Country Club Estates community, neighbors told deputies.

He has offended blacks, biracial children and women, a sheriff's office report states.

So when his 17-year-old stepson started hurling names at a 15-year-old black boy Wednesday evening, Paul F. Van-Riper egged the teenager on, according to a report.

Just moments before, the stepson, Chris "Alex" Samples, was watching his little bother ride his bike in the community clubhouse parking lot while Kip Allan Thomas sat nearby on a log, waiting for a friend.

After Van-Riper heard a commotion, he stood in his backyard at 7409 Duke Drive watching as Samples pushed and hit Thomas in the parking lot, reports said.

"Get him. Mess him up," Van-Riper reportedly yelled.

He repeatedly made similar statements but used more inflammatory language, according to reports.

Sample's remarks to Thomas echoed his stepfather's, a report states.

At some point, Thomas reportedly got a punch in, knocking Samples to the ground, and then the two Hudson High students stopped fighting.

Samples, however, has a different account. He told deputies that Thomas walked up to him in the parking lot and struck him first. Deputies evidently didn't believe that scenario and arrested him on a simple battery charge.

The day before the incident, a neighbor heard the stepfather say he was "declaring war" on blacks, according to a report.

Neighbors say Van-Riper's behavior causes them to fear for their safety and their children's.

While a deputy drove him to the Land O' Lakes Jail, Van-Riper said he "just wanted them to fight and get it over," according to a report.

He also reportedly told the deputy his actions were motivated by his dislike of black people.

"We are very lucky to live in a free country where we can like or dislike anyone," Deputy Elizabeth Alvarez told him. ""But when you stand in your yard, yell and encourage your son to fight calling people racial slurs because you don't like black people, you have crossed the line."

Van-Riper reportedly replied, "Yes, I know, I shouldn't have done that."

He was being held Thursday on charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and committing a hate crime. Bail was set at $10,000.

Reporter Lisa A. Davis can be reached at (727) 815-1083 or ldavis@tampatrib.com.

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