Police in California have arrested two teens boys for threatening a black high school student with a noose and a gun in a Snapchat video.
According to Modesto Police Department, “a white male juvenile is seen and heard making specific reference to another individual while placing a noose around his neck.”
A gun was also fired in the video, police said in a statement on April 11.
“[The video] had overtones of being racially related that resulted in the hate crime charge,” Modesto police captain Brian Findlen said.
The suspects and the victim all attend Central Catholic High School.
According to Yahoo News, the school spokeswoman Missy Lucas said the two 16-year-old students have been suspended until the school’s discipline review board further investigate the case.
The video was first reported to the department by the victim’s mother on April 5; the police have since been investigating, conducting searches and interviews “to ensure that the case was investigated carefully and methodically.”
The suspects, whose names haven’t been released, are currently in Stanislaus County Juvenile Hall. They have been charged with making terrorist threats, committing a hate crime and criminal conspiracy.
Since it is an ongoing investigation, no additional information can be released, Findlen said.
