Marion police were unable to substantiate the box cutter incident at the school parade

MARION, Iowa – Marion police announced Friday that they could not confirm claims about an incident during the Linn-Mar Community Schools homecoming parade in which members of the school's LGBTQ+ group, Spectrum, said someone pointed an open box cutter at them thrown.

The department said it received a report last week that a group of students were taunted and insulted during the parade on Wednesday, Sept. 25, and that a knife/box cutter was thrown at a member of the group. The report prompted police to launch an investigation into the incident.

Marion police also confirmed to Iowa News Now that they received a tip from the FBI about a possible hate crime.

In a news release Friday, the department said it interviewed several students and parade participants but could not substantiate the claim that the box cutter was thrown at anyone.

However, the police did not deny that the students were mocked and insulted.

“This appears to be a case in which several people put pieces of information together, resulting in an inaccurate account of what happened,” the press release said. “The Marion Police Department takes allegations and threats of violence seriously and appreciates the cooperation of students and the Linn-Mar Community School District on this matter.”

A mother whose daughter is a member of Spectrum said she started a GoFundMe to raise money for the group following the alleged incident. More than $5,000 has been raised so far.

Police are encouraging people to speak up if they see suspicious activity and to report dangerous behavior to the appropriate authorities.

Anyone with further information about the incident should contact Marion police at 319-377-1511.