Hate crime alleged at Santa Monica High School

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (KABC) -- Several students at Santa Monica High School may face assault and hate crime charges stemming from accusations made by an African-American classmate.

A black member of the school wrestling team claims he found a brown practice dummy with a noose around its neck when he reported for practice last month.

The student also said he was bear hugged by a couple of teammates, chained to his locker and had racially-charged remarks directed at him.

Santa Monica police said they were informed by the teen and his mother of what allegedly happened in the gymnasium last Wednesday.

Detectives said they have interviewed peopled they believe to have been involved and are continuing their investigation to determine whether it is a hate crime and if assault charges should be filed.

In an email to parents, the school principal said the students allegedly involved in the hazing were suspended and that the entire wrestling team went through sensitivity training.

Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District board member Oscar de la Torre, a Santa Monica High graduate, questioned why school administrators didn't report the incident to police.

"They should've followed our policy which called for the involvement of the Santa Monica Police Department," de la Torre said. "The other thing that should've been done, they should've notified the parent. I think that was a lapse in judgement on their part."

Students at the high school said everyone usually gets along well.

"It's just sad that kids from our school would do that to a black person," said student Afrikara Washington. "We have black people all around."

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hate crime, santa monica, school, los angeles news, sid garcia

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