A high school in Creston, Iowa, says it’s reprimanded a group of students after a photo of teens in white KKK hoods circulated on social media.
The photo appears to have been shared from Snapchat onto Twitter, with the Snapchat caption marked out. The photo shows five men wearing white, pointed hoods with eye holes, with one teen holding a rifle and another waving what appears to be the Confederate flag. A cross burns between the men in the background.
According to Creston News Advertiser, Creston Community High School received notice of the photo on Wednesday morning, and immediately began an investigation, assistant principal Jeff Bevins said.
The students in the photo have not been identified, but have been confirmed as members of the school’s football team.
“This picture does not represent CCHS, our school system or our community. We are proud of how our students and staff conducted themselves today after the picture became public. It is of the utmost importance that our students feel safe and welcomed in our district,” principal Bill Messerole wrote in a statement.
Creston high school football players literally did this. Makes me embarrassed to be from this town. Y'all are a bunch of cowards and scum. pic.twitter.com/pmkRDk0WVj
— Trey C. (@treycheers) September 6, 2017
Messerole told the Associated Press that the photo was not taken on school grounds. Creston police are aware of the photo, but are not involved in the investigation, and cannot file charges against the students.
Creston is located about 70 miles south of Des Moines, with more than 7,800 residents.
H/T Time