Police report shows authorities can’t prove BYU fan used a racial slur

PROVO, Utah — Less than a week after a Duke volleyball player says a fan used a derogatory term toward her, a police report obtained by KSL shows BYU Police can’t prove the fan used the slur.

The newly obtained documents provide some light into the investigation. 

A police officer who responded to the incident talked, at great length, to the fan, who was identified by the Duke coaching staff as having used the slur. After talking to the fan, the officer wrote that the fan appeared to have special needs.

Authorities reviewed video and found at one point the slur was used. However, the fan wasn’t in the section. 

In another video review, the fan was seen playing on his phone. The fan received an indefinite ban after the Duke player complained that he made her feel uncomfortable after the match. 

The fan continued to insist to BYU Police that he did not use the term.

Mark Jones contributed to this article.

Read more:

• Duke volleyball players receive racial slurs during a game against BYU
• BYU committee on race and diversity releases 26 recommendations to help ‘root out racism’
• When you see or hear racism, take action, says Salt Lake NAACP president