ATWATER - The Atwater Police Department has initiated a hate crime investigation after a report of an African American Teacher at Buhach Colony High School being subjected to racial epitaphs and slurs during a Zoom online classroom event on Thursday, August 27.

Officers are investigating the circumstances around the event and are collecting digital evidence to determine the persons responsible. Due to this incident occurring across a computer network, responsible parties may be charged not only with a hate crime but with using a computer network to commit a crime.

Atwater Police Chief Michael Salvador stated, “ The Atwater Police Department is committed to fully investigating this incident and holding those involved accountable to the fullest extent of the law. No one should be subjected to this type of behavior based on the color of their skin. Teachers provide a great service to our communities and should not be subjected to incidents like this.”

Golden Valley High in Merced also experienced a similar incident last week against a Black teacher, prompting the school’s principal to call it an “act of hate.” The Merced Union High School is fully coopering with the Atwater Police Department investigation.

The investigation is ongoing, and the Atwater Police Department needs the public’s help in gathering information related to this case. If a member of the public has information about this case or any other criminal activity, please contact the Atwater Police Department at 209-357-6384 and ask for Detectives Vierra and Aguilar.