Police: Recordings back up claims about racial incident

COEUR d'ALENE — Coeur d'Alene police said Wednesday some video and audio recordings corroborate what was reported by members of a basketball program in regard to a reported racial incident in downtown Coeur d'Alene on March 21.

"We’ve identified an audio recording where the use of a racial slur was clearly audible," a press release said. 

Police said they are working to determine the context and conduct associated with its use to determine if it is a crime. 

"While we’re still reviewing evidence, it appears the use of a racial slur occurred more than one time," the release said.

Detectives are also trying to identify a silver passenger car they said was in the area at the time of the incident and released grainy pictures of the vehicle.

The incident occurred shortly after members of the University of Utah women’s basketball team arrived in the area to participate in the NCAA women’s basketball tournament’s first and second rounds, hosted by Gonzaga University in Spokane. They were staying at The Coeur d'Alene Resort.

According to a previous statement from the University of Utah, there were two separate encounters that evening:

“First, as the traveling party was walking to a restaurant for dinner in the vicinity of their hotel, a vehicle drove by and occupants shouted racial epithets at the group,” the statement said. “Second, on the walk back to the hotel, a vehicle slowly passed the group, revving its engine with its occupants again shouting racially disparaging words and threats.”

According to a Coeur d'Alene police report, Robert Moyer, a donor for the University of Utah basketball team, told police that two lifted pickups were revving their engines and speeding by the team as they walked down Sherman Avenue. Moyer said they used racial slurs.

One person said a truck displaying a Confederate flag was involved and the driver began "spewing appalling racial slurs at them," according to the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations.

Detectives have conducted interviews with the involved parties and have collected about 35 hours of video from businesses in the area, the release said.

Detectives are analyzing the video and audio recordings "to gain accurate suspect information and to establish a timeframe and continuity from the various video perspectives."

"Some of the surveillance video/audio corroborates what was reported by members of the basketball program and detectives are currently working to locate any additional evidence," the release said.

The incident received nationwide attention and many have condemned Coeur d'Alene for it. City leaders, including Mayor Jim Hammond, recently held a press conference to apologize and denounce racism.

“We believe that all should be treated with kindness, dignity and respect,” Hammond said.

Anyone with information about the silver sedan is asked to contact detectives at the Coeur d’Alene Police Department at 208-769-2320.