Gettysburg students react to victim in carving incident failing to press charges

ADAMS COUNTY, Pa. (WHP) – A student at Gettysburg College allegedly had a racial slur carved into his chest, and now we're learning why the case is going nowhere.

The accused person has reportedly left the school, but no charges have been filed against him.

Gettysburg police said the victim chose not to contact police and let the college's campus safety department handle the situation.

“If it is true that it was a box cutter, that is a hate crime. “It’s also like a violent crime in general,” freshman Joe Deitz said.

“I care about racial justice and it’s hard for me to put myself in someone’s shoes when I don’t have the same identity,” said Leo Landry, also a freshman.

Gettysburg College students are left guessing after hearing that a student allegedly used a box cutter to carve the N-word into another's chest, and no charges will be filed.

READ MORE |The victim of the Gettysburg College carving incident has not pressed charges and the investigation is ongoing

Last Friday, the family told the college's student newspaper, The Gettysburgian, that their son had been the victim of a hate crime and that they were aware of their right to pursue federal charges.

Exactly a week later, things seem to have changed.

“I think there are two sides. I think maybe part of it is because there’s someone who doesn’t necessarily want to go that far,” Deitz said.

In a statement sent to CBS21, Gettysburg Police said, “Campus Safety advised that the victim was “encouraged” (by the college) to contact law enforcement. The victim decided against it and left the matter to the college's disciplinary process. ”

“I've been here for about five weeks and I really enjoyed it. Everyone I met here was super friendly and super positive. “It just sucks that Gettysburg is going to have this narrative now,” freshman Sam Gouveia said.

“I find it disgusting that something like this happens at this university. I mean, if you look around this city, there are monuments to a war that are really dedicated to this kind of thing,” Landry said.

You can read Gettysburg Police Chief Robert W. Glenny, Jr.'s full statement below:

To my knowledge, the Gettysburg Police Department has not filed a complaint regarding this matter. We contacted campus security after being alerted by the article in the Gettysburgian Campus Newspaper. Campus Safety said the victim was “encouraged” (by the college) to contact law enforcement. The victim decided against it and left the matter to the college's disciplinary process. We do not know the identity of the victim or anyone involved in this matter. If we receive a complaint, we will investigate it to the fullest extent possible.

We have no additional information to provide.