PAWTUCKET, R.I. (WJAR) — Administrators at Shea High School of Pawtucket and Tiverton High School are investigating reports of racial slurs being used at a varsity boys' basketball game between the two schools on Thursday.
Students at Shea allege that Tiverton fans were spewing racial slurs at the players on the court and making monkey noises while players were taking free throws.
According to BLM RI PAC, multiple Shea students, student-athletes, teachers and parents who attended the game heard the derogatory comments and remarks.
Zachary Pinto is the vice president of BLM RI PAC. He is also a senior at Shea High School.
"No person should ever have to face this," said Pinto. "It's no longer about the game. Now, you're attacking people's identities."
Chuck Grant, the athletic director for Tiverton High School, released an investigative report on the incident on Monday.
The game's head referee, three Tiverton event attendants and three Tiverton students were interviewed about the game, according to the report.
It revealed that no racial slurs were made by a Tiverton student however, a non-Tiverton student used racial slurs shortly after halftime. That student was removed from the game.
"The investigation confirmed that a Tiverton student DID USE abusive and profane language directed at a Shea player," read the report. "However, no racial slur was said."
Both students are now banned from attending Tiverton sporting events, according to Grant. The Tiverton student will be eligible to attend games next school year after successfully completing a sportsmanship course.
"I'm glad that Tiverton is holding them accountable by not letting them go to games while also doing the work to educate them on their ignorance," said Pinto, who plays football for Shea. "While I do appreciate it, I feel that their investigation is not all inclusive as no one from Shea or our side was interviewed."
In an email to NBC 10 News, Tiverton Superintendent Peter Sanchioni said each school conducted its own internal investigation meaning Shea students were interviewed by Shea administrators.
Mike Lumney, director of the Rhode Island Interscholastic League, said he is investigating the incident alongside the Shea and Tiverton Athletic Departments.
"The RIIL commends the administrations of both member schools for taking this matter seriously and working together to address the situation," said Lumney in a statement to NBC 10 News. "The players and coaches of both teams should be applauded for demonstrating good sportsmanship throughout the contest."
Pinto told NBC 10 this isn't the first time Shea student-athletes have been targeted. He wants more transparency and accountability for fans going forward.
"As a young person of color, when you're at an away game, you're not sure if you're going to be able to make it back on that bus," he said. "It's a very, scary reality."