'They don't belong': Police called on Native American teens on university tour

A mother called police on two Native American brothers who were touring a university campus in the US, claiming they made her "nervous".

In this photo from body camera video, two Native American teenagers are questioned by Colorado State University campus police after they were pulled from a college tour, Monday, April 30, in Colorado.

In this photo from body camera video, two Native American teenagers are questioned by Colorado State University campus police. Source: Colorado State University campus police

A mother touring Colorado State University (CSU) called police on two Native American brothers saying they were "creepy" and made her "nervous". 

Brothers Thomas Kanewakeron Gray, 19, and Lloyd Skanahwati Gray, 17, travelled from New Mexico to join the campus tour on Monday, April 30.

But after joining the tour late, the mother "called the police with suspicions about two young, Native American men," according to the campus report.

The mother told police during the 911 call that another man said the teens looked like they "don't belong" and that their clothing had "dark stuff on it...weird symbolism and wording".

Two police officers followed up the call and questioned the teens.

After the incident made national headlines, CSU released the body-cam footage from the police officer that questioned them.

The two brothers told police they had signed up for the admission tour online.

Police checked their enrollment, before apologising and allowing them to rejoin the tour.

During the 911 call, the mother told the operator she felt "completely ridiculous, they are probably fine" before giving a description of the teens.

The incident sparked a uproar in the US with CSU president, Dr Tony Frank, releasing a statement to the community claiming the university had attempted to reach out to the students to offer them a VIP tour if they were still interested.

Dr Frank said that everyone from all backgrounds belong at the university.

"Two young men, through no fault of their own, wound up frightened and humiliated because another campus visitor was concerned about their clothes and overall demeanor, which appears to have simply been shyness," he wrote.

"The very idea that someone – anyone – might “look” like they don’t belong on a CSU Admissions tour is anathema."


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2 min read

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By Riley Morgan



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