Gettysburg College student allegedly carved a racist slur into another student's chest with a carpet knife

A college student allegedly used a box cutter to carve a racial slur into the chest of another student at Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania, officials said Thursday.

The alleged attack occurred Sept. 6 at a men's swim team meeting in a campus dormitory, according to a statement from the victim's family published in the college's student newspaper, The Gettysburgian.

“The reprehensible act was committed by a fellow student he considered a friend and trusted. This student used a box cutter to carve the N-word across his chest,” the victim's family wrote in their statement.

The victim's family, who called the attack a “hate crime,” added that their son was the only person of color at the gathering.

Gettysburg College said in a statement Thursday that the students involved in the incident had been suspended from participating in swim team activities “pending the outcome of the student conduct determination process.”

The victim's family confirmed in their statement that the victim was one of the two students who were excluded from team activities. The statement added that the victim was first questioned about the attack less than 48 hours after the attack.

College President Bob Iuliano said in a statement that seniors on the swim team were the first to report the incident.

The victim's family said they asked the Gettysburgian to keep their identities anonymous to ensure the protection of the victim's identity.

“Our son did not choose to have a hateful racist slur scrawled on his chest, but he did choose not to return the hate,” their statement said.

“He did not choose the color of his skin, but chose to embrace the strength and diversity it represents. Our son did not choose to be shunned and isolated at the behest of some who pay only lip service to inclusion and diversity,” it continues.

One student told NBC News affiliate WGAL he was “disgusted” by news of the attack.

“It's just sad that something like this still happens today. Even though we talk about inclusion all the time and don't do things like this anymore, it's 2024. You can't do something like this anymore,” said the student.

Iuliano said in Thursday's statement that he wanted to express his “deep dismay” at the incident.

“No matter the relationship or motivation, there is no place on this campus for words or actions that demean, degrade or exclude anyone because of their identity and history,” Iuliano said.

Gettysburg police told WGAL Friday morning that the incident had not been reported to the station.

“The student victim chose not to report the matter to police but rather to the college's internal investigation process,” Police Chief Robert Glenny Jr. said in the statement.

The police chief added that while Gettysburg College told him that the student was encouraged to report the matter to police, the decision ultimately rests with the victim.

The college told NBC News that it could not release further details about the attack due to privacy laws and student conduct procedures.

“At times like these, we may be tempted to speculate about what happened based on fragments of information that may or may not be accurate. Instead, I would urge us to apply our tried and tested process for assessing student behavior,” Iuliano said.

Iuliano said he had “full confidence” in the college's ability to conduct a “thorough investigation.”