Few details on Cherry Creek student’s ‘racist, violent’ posts

More than a month later, it’s unclear what posts said

Ellis Arnold
earnold@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Posted 7/15/20

Cherry Creek High School planned to investigate racist posts that allegedly involve a Creek student, the school’s principal said in a letter to the community. School administration was made aware …

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Few details on Cherry Creek student’s ‘racist, violent’ posts

More than a month later, it’s unclear what posts said

Posted

Cherry Creek High School planned to investigate racist posts that allegedly involve a Creek student, the school’s principal said in a letter to the community.

School administration was made aware of social media posts that are “explicitly racist and violent against the black community,” said the letter, dated June 2 and signed by Principal Ryan Silva and school district Superintendent Scott Siegfried.

“We condemn these racist and violent posts and we take all threats of violence extremely seriously. We believe black lives matter and we will stand up against any actions or words that seek to harm students and families,” the letter continued.

Upon learning about the posts through Safe2Tell — an anonymous reporting tip line and online platform — and emails from students and community members, school administrators “immediately contacted law enforcement to investigate this matter,” the letter read.

The school also would conduct its own investigation and hold students found to be involved accountable for their actions, the letter added.

More than a month after the letter was distributed, it is unclear what actions the school or district have taken and what the content of the social media posts was.

Abbe Smith, spokeswoman for Cherry Creek School District, said on July 9 she did not have information to release regarding whether a student has been disciplined by the high school or district and in what way. Smith did not say whether an investigation by the high school or district is finished.

School officials referred the incident to the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office for investigation, Smith said.

The sheriff’s office opened an investigation, said Ginger Delgado, sheriff’s office spokeswoman.

“We are aware of an allegation of a very concerning social media post that was attributed to a Cherry Creek High School student,” Delgado said, adding that the sheriff’s office was working to “determine the source of the posts.”

On July 7, Delgado said there are no updates to share on the matter and that the sheriff’s office is waiting for information from the social media provider.

Delgado did not comment on questions about what the content of the posts was, what charges if any might apply to the student who made the posts, whether the sheriff’s office is recommending any charges and whether deputies contacted the student.

Cherry Creek High School, social media, racist post, Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office, Colorado, Ellis Arnold

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