Racial slurs, threats on Oakwood students’ social media taken to police

District says there were “serious consequences” for students involved, but will not elaborate publicly

Credit: FILE

Credit: FILE

OAKWOOD — A complaint was filed with police and protection orders were sought after racial slurs and threatening language were used in social media posts by Oakwood High School students, authorities said.

A menacing report was filed with Oakwood police earlier this month involving the posts, which prompted action from school district administrators.

Two teen students sought help from the Oakwood Safety Department on April 12, according to the police report.

The first incident involved a father and son going to police involving two videos that were posted. One included a rap song believed to be written by an OHS student, the police report states.

That video included a person using a racial slur when referencing Black people. The lyrics indicated that if the person saw another one, “I’m gonna finally pull the trigga,” and he threatened violence with a baseball bat, according to the report.

In another video, the subject had a racial slur written on his thigh. While police were taking the initial complaint, a second one was received “about the same incident,” Oakwood police records state.

While on that scene, police said they met with a teen male who also saw the videos. The student said there had been “several incidents where (the offender) used the racial slur” and the teen later told a principal “he didn’t feel safe at school,” records show.

Both families requested protection orders from the Montgomery County Juvenile Court, according to police records.

The incident remains open and will be presented to prosecutor’s office, which decide if any charges will be filed, according to Oakwood Safety Director Alan Hill.

Oakwood City Schools provided few details about the incidents in a released statement.

“We will not provide specific information about the posts or the number of students involved,” district spokeswoman Traci Hale said in an email Tuesday. “We cannot comment on any disciplinary action where students are involved.”

The district’s statement said “while (it) is prevented from sharing information regarding any type of student discipline, be assured there are serious consequences for students engaging in this behavior.

“Oakwood schools does not condone or permit racism, intolerance or discrimination in any form,” the district said. “We will respond to any expressions of racist or bigoted language with the appropriate and necessary actions to correct them.”

After being notified of the posts, officials said they met with the students directly involved and their families. A class meeting was held with other students “to reiterate the district’s intolerance for racist language and impress upon them the importance of thinking before acting.”

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