COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho — New information was released on the racial incidents involving members of the University of Utah Women’s Basketball Program during the NCAA tournament.
After an extensive review of video and audio recordings, the Coeur d’Alene Police Department (CDAPD) confirmed a racial slur was “clearly audible.”
CDAPD detectives have conducted interviews and obtained about 35 hours of security footage from businesses where the incidents occurred. CDA PD said some of the footage confirms reports by the members of the basketball program.
CDAPD said detectives are still reviewing evidence as it appears the use of a racial slur occurred more than one time.
“We’re working [to] determine the context and conduct associated with its use to determine if [it] is a violation of the law,” CDAPD said
Detectives are working to identify a silver passenger car in the area when the incident occurred. If anyone has information related to the vehicle, you are asked to contact detectives at the Coeur d’Alene Police Department at 208-769-2320 or through their tip line.
The incident occurred on March 21 when the University of Utah Women’s Basketball Team visited Coeur d’Alene for the NCAA tournament. T
According to the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations, the team was walking to Crafted Tap House when the driver of a truck with a confederate flag started screaming the N-word at them.
Utah players were reportedly greeted by additional men shouting racist slurs when they left the restaurant, also saying the men followed them to the Coeur d’Alene resort where they were staying.
“It was a distraction and upsetting and unfortunate. This should be a positive for everybody involved. This should be a joyous time for our program, and to have kind of a black eye on the experience is unfortunate,” said Roberts.
This incident remains an active investigation.
