The racial slur spray-painted in red on a house under construction in North Arlington is the latest sign that some neighbors may not welcome the homeowners.

Concerns over possible discrimination led police to pass out fliers in the neighborhood Friday, telling residents the couple's home had been repeatedly "targeted due to the race of the owners."

Broderick Gamble and his fiancée, Silk Pettyjohn, the black couple building the home, lived in the house that stood on the same wooded lot for only a few days in 2005 before it burned.

Authorities "said somebody left an iron plugged in," Ms. Pettyjohn said. But she said she can't help wondering.

On Wednesday, Ms. Pettyjohn was struck in the face with a two-by-four by a woman who lives several blocks away, police said. Grace Head, 66, was arrested and charged with assault.

The couple say they were in their front yard when Ms. Head walked up with her Doberman pinscher and told them they could not live in the Timberview addition because they are black.

Ms. Pettyjohn accuses Ms. Head of using profanity and racial slurs.

"She said, 'There is no .... way we're going to let you ... move into this neighborhood,' " Ms. Pettyjohn said.

The couple say Ms. Head picked up a board from the yard and hit Ms. Pettyjohn with it.

Lt. Blake Miller, an Arlington police spokesman, said officers responding to a disturbance call arrested Ms. Head about 6 p.m. on charges of assault with bodily injury, criminal trespass and failure to identify. Ms. Head, who could not be reached for comment, was released from jail early Thursday after posting bond.

Late Friday, Ms. Pettyjohn still had a bruise on the right side of her face from her hairline to her upper lip. She said her tongue was swollen and several teeth were loose. Mr. Gamble said they and their four children probably won't have Christmas this year because of the expected medical expenses.

Mr. Gamble, a contractor, has the new home – a 2,800-square-foot one-story with an exterior of bricks from the old house – looking almost ready to move in. The roof is on, and there is glass in the windows. But hateful words now mar the white garage doors.

On Friday, Mr. Gamble was at work when he got the call about the words.

He rushed home and found "KILL" spray-painted on one garage door and "DIE" and a racial slur on the other.

Ms. Pettyjohn said she thought they should leave the words where they are.

"They put it up there," she said. "Let them take it down."