UC Irvine police Wednesday were investigating a hate crime last month involving underage teenagers.
The attack occurred at about 8:30 p.m. Feb. 27 at Arroyo Vista Housing. Multiple teens on e-bikes insulted a student with anti-Black racial slurs and spitting, and one of the suspects injured the back leg of the victim with the tire of an e-bike, campus police said.
Officers were able to track down and detain one of the suspects in a parking structure near the scene.
One of the teens, riding a black e-bike, was described as about 16 to 17 years old, 5-foot-8 and about 160 to 170 pounds, wearing a white T-shirt, black pants and a black helmet.
Another suspect was said to be about 14 years-old, 5-foot-5, about 190 pounds and wearing a black shirt, denim gray pants, white Air Force 1 Nikes and a black helmet with a blue backpack on a black e-bike.
Anyone with information about the suspects was asked to call police at 949-824-5223.
UCI officials issued a statement saying the school “remains firmly committed to fostering a safe, inclusive and a respectful environment for all members of our community.”
The university’s statement added that it “unequivocally prohibits acts of violence, intimidation or property damage motivated by a person’s race, ethnicity, religion, disability, gender or sexual orientation and encourages community members to report incidents promptly. Through data-driven policing, community engagement and ongoing public safety initiatives, the university remains dedicated to confronting hate in all its forms and strengthening protections for every Anteater.”
The Council on American-Islamic Relations condemned the reported racial attack.
“This disturbing attack is a reminder that racism and hate continue to endanger African American students and undermine the safety of our campuses,” CAIR-LA Legal Director Amr Shabaik said.
“No student should have to fear being chased, assaulted, and subjected to racial slurs simply for existing in their own community. University officials and law enforcement must conduct a thorough investigation, hold those responsible accountable and take concrete steps to ensure that Black students feel protected and supported on campus.”