Police: No Charges Will Be Filed After Photo Shows High School Mascot Holding Racist Sign
CAMDEN, Del. (CBS) — Police say no charges will be filed after a picture showing a Kent County high school mascot holding a piece of paper with a racial slur made the rounds on social media.
In the photo, the Caesar Rodney High School Rider mascot is shown holding and pointing at a sign that reads, "...don't belong at CR!"
"My niece was scared, she wants to come home, that's why I came to pick her up," said one parent.
Late Thursday afternoon, CBS3 has learned that two students have been caught and will be suspended. Officials say they could face expulsion from the school.
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Delaware State Police say that no charges will be filed after consulting with the Attorney General's Office.
"The Delaware State Police have concluded our portion into the investigation and have turned over the findings to the Caesar Rodney School District who will conduct their own internal investigation. After consultation with the Delaware Attorney General's Office, no charges will be sought," police said.
"Well when I first seen it on social media my heart dropped kind of and it made me want to cry cause it was very disrespectful," said Aliyah Patrick, a senior at Caesar Rodney High School.
Dr. Sherry Kijowski, the school's principal, says they are working on identifying the individuals responsible for the sign.
"This behavior has absolutely no place in Rider Country. I assure you that we will do everything within our power to find the individuals responsible for this hateful message with the help of the Delaware State Police. I ask that you continue to be proud of your school and be the best version of yourselves. You define what it means to be a Rider, not a picture, not a post," said Kijowski.
Kevin Fitzgerald, superintendent of the Caesar Rodney School District, said the district has "zero tolerance for this behavior."
La Mar Gunn and Donyale Hall, who lead the Central Delaware Branch of NAACP, both have children in the district. They want this incident to drive a productive discussion.
"It will be a teachable moment in my household and I encourage all parents whether you're white, black, Hispanic to use times like this to educate your children," said Gunn, president of Delaware branch.