Three men allegedly beat a bystander to death outside of a North Phoenix pool hall on October 16. Authorities report that two of the suspects are affiliated with the neo-Nazi National Alliance, a racist and anti-Semitic group with a history of violence.

The incident began when a fight that broke out inside the pool hall spilled outside. The three attackers then reportedly turned on a bystander who was waiting for a cab, beating and stomping him fatally before driving away. A police spokesman later described the incident as one of the most vicious, unprovoked attacks he had ever come across.

Two of the assailants, Sammy Compton, 26, and Christopher Weston Whitley, 24, have been identified as members of the National Alliance by Todd Gerrish, the Manager of Security Threat Groups and Investigations for the Arizona Department of Corrections. "These guys were elders in white supremacy gangs while in prison, and were just as ruthless behind bars," Gerrish said.

The victim, a 20 year old man who lived near the pool hall, was caucasian. "This murder, the victimizing of another white," Gerrish added, "shows that if you're not part of their beliefs you are their enemy."

Whitley, whose criminal record includes grand theft and aggravated assault, provided security at a recent National Alliance gathering near Scottsdale, Arizona, in September. His nickname, "Cracker," is tattooed on his head. Compton has "White Power" tattooed on his back.

As of October 23, Whitley and Compton were still at large. The third suspect, Brandon Miller, 24 (a.k.a. "Bull Dog"), was arrested on October 18 and booked on first-degree murder charges.

The National Alliance, headquartered in Hillsboro, West Virginia, is the largest and most active neo-Nazi organization in the United States. It has experienced significant growth in the last decade, focusing much of its attention on recruiting young racists through white power music companies such as Resistance Records.

The National Alliance has a noteworthy presence in Arizona. Its members there set up tables at local gun shows, selling Resistance Records music and distributing fliers. Recently, 19 neo-Nazi skinheads attended a National Alliance meeting at the Deer Valley Community Center in Phoenix.