Editor’s Note: This story reports on the statement released to the Gettysburgian by the family of the victim. The Gettysburgian’s most recent reporting on the incident, which includes an updated joint statement between the family and Gettysburg College, can be found here.
By Vincent DiFonzo, Editor-in-Chief
On Friday afternoon, the family of the student who had a racial slur cut into their body at a swim team social gathering contacted the Gettysburgian to publicize their statement on the incident, saying their son was the victim of a hate crime.
They said the incident occurred two weeks ago on Friday, Sept. 6 at an men’s swim team social gathering. There, they said that the perpetrator, who the victim “trusted,” used a box cutter to cut the N-word on his chest. They also said that the victim was the only person of color at the gathering. The attack was first reported on Wednesday after the Gettysburgian contacted the College for comment.
Additionally, the students who are dismissed from swim team activities amid the College investigation into the incident includes the victim, according to the family. The Gettysburgian agreed to publish the family’s statement anonymously to protect the identity of the victim. Their statement, in its entirety and unedited, is published below:
“Two weeks ago on the evening of Friday, Sept. 6, our son became the victim of a hate crime. The incident took place at a gathering of swim team members. It is important to note that he was the only person of color at this gathering. The reprehensible act was committed by a fellow student-athlete, someone he considered his friend, someone whom he trusted. This student used a box cutter to etch the N-word across his chest.
“In less than 48 hours after the incident, our son was interviewed by the members of the coaching staff and summarily dismissed (not suspended) from the swim team. The punitive action was taken prior to the commencement of the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities own investigation. This does not appear to have followed the policies and procedures stated in the Gettysburg College Student-Athlete Manual.
“As we wait to discuss the decisions made by college staff, the harm continues without much relief. Media outlets (social, online, and broadcast) continue to perpetuate misinformation stemming from an act of racial animus. In the same vein, the isolation that pairs with being isolated from many in the Gettysburg College community that he had come to trust deepens the harm.
“We want to be clear that we understand that an investigation should not be rushed. We support a fair and thorough investigation. To this end, we appreciate the standardized procedures and protocols that are in place. We know that they are meant to ensure that the rights and responsibilities of all parties involved are maintained and protected.
“At the same time, we have been proactive in seeking redress through other parties. Complaints citing racial discrimination, harassment and lack of due process have been filed with the NAACP Harrisburg chapter and the NAACP Pennsylvania conference. We have also filed a similar complaint with the Pennsylvania Commission on Human Relations. We are well aware that we retain the right to pursue local, state and federal criminal charges in this matter.
“We have come forward now with this statement in the expectation that it will add clarity, not stir controversy as we struggle to comprehend the nightmare that haunts our son and our family. We remain hopeful that Gettysburg College officials will maintain transparency and execute a just application of its rules.
“Our son had other choices where he could mature intellectually, socially and spiritually, and achieve his athletic goals. He chose Gettysburg College and its swim program because he felt at home on this campus. Indeed, we appreciated how we were welcomed by other swim team parents, swimmers and coaching staff. It appeared to be the right choice on several levels. For the sake of our son’s well-being, we are attempting to address the recent challenges by mirroring our son’s spirit of humility and courage.
“Our son did not choose to have a hateful racial slur scrawled across his chest, but he has chosen not to return the hate. He did not choose the color of his skin tone, but has chosen to embrace the strength and diversity it represents. Our son did not choose to be shunned and isolated at the behest of some who pay lip service to inclusion and diversity.
“We would be remiss not to point out that there are — thankfully — students who have reached out and expressed their concern for our son’s well-being. These individuals have chosen to resist pressure from others and not associate with him. In our family’s eyes, they stopped to help our son in his time of need. They have displayed courage and grace at such a young age, and their actions should be celebrated, not discouraged.
“Our family apologizes in advance if this statement offends anyone. We seek forgiveness if what we believe to be true is perceived as bearing false witness. This is not our intent. Rather, our intent is that — in some small way — a heinous act can serve as a transformative moment for Gettysburg College to live up to its ideals of diversity, inclusion and justice; to celebrate the College’s maxim to: ‘Do Great Work.’ We pray that together we can arouse a collective conscience promoting healing and help bring about justice for our son and the rest of the Gettysburg College community.”
The College first addressed the incident on Wednesday, releasing the following statement to the Gettysburgian:
“The College has received a deeply concerning report of a racial slur being scratched onto a student using a plastic or ceramic tool. This is a serious report, which is being actively assessed through the student conduct process. At this point, the students involved are not participating in swim team activities pending the outcome of the student conduct process. Given privacy laws and the ongoing nature of the student conduct process, we are unable to share further details.”
WGAL8 reached out to the Gettysburg Police Department, who reported that “Chief Robert Glenny Jr. said he then contacted the college and was told the victim chose to handle it through the college’s internal investigatory process.”
Since Wednesday, the incident has attracted the attention of mainstream news outlets. On Thursday, President Bob Iuliano addressed the incident in a campus-wide email, saying that “a racial slur was scratched onto a student by another student at an informal social gathering at an on-campus residence.”
Iuliano expressed his “profound distress about what happened, its impact on those who have long been underrepresented on this campus and its implications for a community continuing its evolving efforts to create a truly inclusive environment.” He also thanked upperclassmen swim team members who reported the incident to the College.
The Gettysburgian previously reported on Iuliano’s statement to the community.
September 21, 2024
The victim and his family are being quite reasonable.
I hope the College handles the matter ‘correctly’ and brings credit to the school …. Unlike the prior President whose actions damaged the school in numerous ways.
September 21, 2024
This incident must be thoroughly investigated. The challenge for justice is not left to the student or his parents, but to the officers of Gettysburg College. The broader challenge is to the community who should not sweep this incident “under the carpet,” but address it fully through consequences for the perpetrator and those onlookers who failed to stop the behavior, and through racial justice education programs that advance our common humanity.
September 21, 2024
What about the previous president are you referring to? Please be specific.
September 22, 2024
Hogan’s Heroes.
Could have been a very teachable episode.
September 23, 2024
Let’s see, six letters. Go ahead and have “someone you trust” carve six letters into your chest with a box-cutter. See how far he gets before you decide he should stop.
September 21, 2024
This is an outrageous crime and I want the victim and his family to know that the Gettysburg community (including professors and alumni) should support you and do everything we can to make sure you feel part of this family. You should feel at home on the swim team, in classes, with your peers, and anywhere around Gettysburg the same way I felt as a student. Any person who would hurt and perpetuate hate toward you or others in such a way is not and should not be part of the Gettysburg community. I hope that you can rest a little easier knowing that you have some Gettysburg family support even if we cannot go back in time to prevent such an atrocity from happening in the first place.
September 23, 2024
Lets not jump to conclusions. Remember Twana Brawley.
September 23, 2024
Remember her quote when a TV interviewer asked her if Sharpton was manipulating her — “ain’t nobody gonna manipsmapes me”. An instant classic from 40 years ago.
September 22, 2024
Important to investigate the facts. Interview the other boys that were there. Did that really happen. I hope the full story comes out.
September 22, 2024
Good point, Walter. Lots of false news out there.
September 23, 2024
If his name really even IS Walter….
September 23, 2024
Some of you seem to doubt this even happened or we should not jump to conclusions. Surely we know that you are not BLACK living in America.
September 23, 2024
Too many cases like Tawana Brawley to not be cautious
September 23, 2024
True,MAYBE, but the story says it was a “box cutter” and then later it said it was a “plastic or ceramic” device. Ok, what was it? Could it have been an EMPTY utility knife with no blade? Was there a blade? If it’s true then it’s horrible, not because it was some sort of assault (there’s no reporting of blood, an attack, etc.) but because it was senseless and racist. Were they drunk? Were they alone at a group event or were there several people present? Was it all in tasteless fun but somehow now is being blown out of proportion? I’m reminded of the “LYNCHING!!!” that supposedly took place at the Texas NASCAR racetrack and FBI agents showed up to investigagte the “cirme” that had occured. Low and behold it was a pull-down rope on a garage door that someone had tied into a loop. Completely innocent incident that was blown way out of proportion and a lie turned into a sensational story. Or the Jussie Smollet caper. So forgive some of us if we don’t entirely believe what’s reported in the media and please consider that we aren’t automatically racist just because was we’re questioning the details.
September 22, 2024
Good to know this site doesn’t post ideas contrary to woke thinking.
September 23, 2024
This incident should be handled by Law Enforcement! As a graduate I respect the Colleges efforts to handle it but this is clearly a crime and deserves due process within the laws of the Commanwealtu of State Pa.
September 23, 2024
You are correct. Also keep in mind that one can also be criminally charged for making a false police report.
Something doesn’t smell right about this story.
The statement sounds like it was written by an attorney.
September 23, 2024
Charge the perpetrators with hate crimes, put them in jail. Make an example out of them so we can rid this country of racist people like this. There is no place for them in our country. If white men were attacked like this, it would be a national emergency declared.
September 23, 2024
Can someone explain how this happened? Did the victim sit still while his classmates used a box cutter to carve a word on his chest? I doubt he would willingly cooperate. Wouldn’t that hurt and take time? Was the victim drunk, anesthetized, passed out, or tied or held down? What was going on at the time?
September 23, 2024
THANK YOU!!
An important pert of the story is missing.
September 23, 2024
I am horrified for the victim and hope the school takes the appropriate action(s) to resolve this as best that can be done.
Gettysburg is literally the place where freedom from slavery was fought for. But perhaps that fact eluded a student as young as the perpetrator. If my son were the perpetrator, he would be far less worried about what the school would do to him, then what his parents would.
To the parents of the victim, I am so sorry you are going through this and let your son know that this too will pass in time and he will successfully make it through and be re-instated to the swim team, if he so chooses.
September 23, 2024
No mention of expelling the perpetrator? Shouldn’t that be pretty much automatic? And why are the police not getting involved. If this is in fact a “hate crime,” shouldn’t the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office step in regardless?
September 23, 2024
i’m trying to envision a circumstance in which two people voluntarily agreed that carving anything on a fellow teammate’s chest with a box cutter would be acceptable. That the victim of this racist behavior may have voluntarily participated is the only explanation that makes sense to me for dismissing him, as well as the racist who cut him, from the swim team. Speculating it was some sort of hazing ritual.
Without more transparency, dismissing the victim from a university team or club seems excessive.
September 23, 2024
Something seems to be amiss in this story. It doesn’t add up that someone is going to sit around and be carved up with a box cutter.
The investigation needs to play out fully before we start making assumptions and accusations.
September 23, 2024
The college’s statement says that the N-word was etched into his skin,“using a plastic or ceramic tool.”. The parents’ statement says that it was done using a box cutter. The latter tool is far more likely to draw blood, to be a deep cut, and frankly to be an outright criminal act, whether or not the word was racist. I hope the parents had a medical professional do a full medical evaluation, including taking a photograph of the injury done as soon as possible after the assault. There is such a thing as being too forgiving, it’s only because people have to suffer consequences that they will learn a lesson. I can imagine that a young man being assaulted in such a fashion (and without being a legal or medical professional, I would consider something to be assault at the very least, if blood were drawn) could be catapulted into a condition of shock that could last for days, weeks, months, or longer— hence a retreat to forgiveness when prosecution should take place — and so all evidence needed for the police to investigate, should be retained, as well as a lawyer should investigate not only how long of a gap in time between assault and reporting of assault, begins to make a criminal complaint untenable, but also, what is needed to file a civil lawsuit. Just because this young man is kind and forgiving, doesnit mean he should not be allowed his full recourse if indeed, blood was drawn. If it was a matter of blood.NOT being drawn, such an epithet, scratched on someone’s chest is disgusting, but potentially not criminal, especially if it was part of a hazing that was voluntarily entered into.. mental health evaluation and emotional education would be called for for all parties, if no blood eere drawn but probably not criminal prosecution. JMHO
September 23, 2024
A friend’s mother is an officer at a University. According to her, once blood is drawn it is considered an offense that they must arrest the person for.
September 23, 2024
Once again it seems, the dreadful and inexcusable actions of a young college student(s) reaches a new level. Never a school year passes without another alcohol induced death as a result of fraternity hazing. Clearly the physical and psychological healing of the victim is of primary concern. While I find it hard to forgive the perpetrator’s actions, in this case as well as hazing incidents, I do hurt for the parent who (presumably) are left wondering, what did we do wrong?
September 23, 2024
I visited Gettysburg a few years ago after almost 60 years since childhood. then I had a vertigo incident on grated steel observation tower. The place made me nauseas driving thru. So many died there under force conscription. I did not enjoy area.
September 23, 2024
Where’s the name of the perpetrator? Why aren’t outlets sharing the details of a fully-grown-adult criminal’s name, so that others can steer clear of this crazed, deranged, violent perpetrator? That perpetrator should not be given the opportunity to have a blank slate coming out of this. The local police and school have a duty to publicize this information and expel/punish the perpetrator immediately. It’s a disgrace to protect the identity of such a violent criminal assailant.
September 23, 2024
Has anyone been formally charged? And even if so, they have the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. Remember Johnny Cochran’s admonition about a rush to judgment.
September 23, 2024
What object was used to make these marks on the victim’s chest? A boxcutter? A plastic or ceramic tool? Did the victim bleed? Moreover, did the victim object to this treatment? Was he being bullied by the perpetrator(s)? Was alcohol involved? Why is there a conflicting story about the suspected tool used to make the mark? The parents state it was a boxcutter (.i.e. tipped with a razor blade and lethal). Whereas the college has ostensibly stated the tool was ceramic or plastic. Obviously, this question shows bias on someones part. And lastly and to be honest, the ‘N-word’ is uttered certain contexts by many, many people, all races included. That generally includes late Gen X, Millenials, Gen Z and probably Gen Alpha. To deny this is to show ignorance and naivete’ in regards to youth culture and sub-cultures in America today. Did the victim just sit there and allow this to occur? Do these of swimmers as a group, a regularly enjoy listening to Jay Z, Beyonce, 2 Chainz and other Gangster Rap performers who normalize the ‘N-word’ in their lyrics? Or how about the plethora of African American stand-up comedians such as Dave Chappelle, who employ this verboten, pejorative word throughout his entire public performances?
September 23, 2024
This case smells bad and I’m sure the police are performing detailed due diligence to ascertain exactly what did or did not happen. I remember a number of Duke boys who were falsely accused of raping a girl of different color, spent time in jail, their parents spent 13 million to hire attorneys who flushed out the real criminals. The DA went to jail for withholding exonerating evidence which the states attorney general brought up during a press conference where he explained the three boys were 100% innocent. Nothing happened to the anonymous accuser until not long ago she was arrested for murder.
that Jesse Smollett guy who fabricated I hate crime but instead ended up going to jail himself. That gal who recently claimed she was kidnapped who really wasn’t.
I could leave you a list of hundreds of cases like that. Rather than jump to conclusions because you see the entire world through a lens of politics, wait to see what the facts reveal and, for the accuser and the accused sakes, it’s my hope the district attorney’s office, investigators, and witnesses all behave as professionals where truth is the only thing that matters
September 23, 2024
Who allows another person to perpetrate such a violation to your person? The perp actually scratched the whole word into his chest? The victim didn’t stop him after the first letter? Was he drugged? Come on.. No police involvement which, if happened, is s hate crime? Do they have the box cutter? This definitely needs investigated, but I refuse to jump to conclusions until more questions are answered.
September 23, 2024
This is shocking and nauseating. From our student, we’ve learned these were both Freshmen and that it happened in one of the dorms. Speculating it was a team hazing or ritual evening and the victim was either passed out unconscious because it seems doubtful he would have been tied up or otherwise physically restrained. Gettysburg is a very academic and leadership-oriented institution, with very difficult admissions standards. The students are mature, intelligent thinkers. The most disturbing thing to me is that a young adult of that caliber must deeply hold bigoted beliefs, most probably shared by the other members of his family. Is nobody else shocked that a young adult male in our society feels it is okay to carve ANYTHING into someone else’s skin? What kind of family produces someone like that? What if the victim gets keloid scars – he probably already has them – big puffy letters spelling out the N word across his entire chest for the rest of his life? He will never look at himself in the mirror again, or remove his shirt in public, without feeling the dehumanizing humiliation inflicted upon him. If that was my kid, I would be going after that entire family of the perpetrator to the FULLEST EXTENT of the law and I would make it my personal campaign to post that kid’s and his family’s faces and names on every social media outlet on a regular basis, YES SHAMING THEM for their dysfunction. That young man has earned a fate where his life is as damaged as the victim’s. Commenters are on here suggesting that this story is somehow about “woke thinking” – totally disappointing and anyone characterizing this incident and the plight of the victim as “woke” noise is simply just excusing bigotry. Does it make me a “woke” whiner if I quote The Bible? How about Matthew 7:12: “In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you”. Or better yet – Exodus 21:31 “Whether he have gored a son, or have gored a daughter, according to this judgment shall it be done unto him.” So for justice they should let the victim carve “BIGOT” on the perpetrator’s forehead.
September 23, 2024
We are disappointed in the College’s response (or lack thereof) to this incident. What is Gettysburg College changing such that it’s crystal clear to every perspective applicant that racist behavior is not welcome in the Gettysburg community? How is Gettysburg College Administration helping the family of the victim?
September 23, 2024
What does this mean? That they are lying?
“We seek forgiveness if what we believe to be true is perceived as bearing false witness”
Jussie again?.