Hate Crime Reported at UC Irvine: Teens Allegedly Chased, Spat on, and Shouted Slurs at Black Student

University's Black Student Union calls for immediate action from administration to protect students

Mar. 11, 2026 at 5:42am

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According to UC Irvine police, a group of five white teenagers on e-bikes chased, spat on, and shouted racial slurs at a Black student in the university's Arroyo Vista Housing complex. One of the teens allegedly struck the student's scooter, resulting in injuries. Most of the suspects fled before police arrived, but one was detained. The Black Student Union is demanding the university take urgent action to address the incident and ensure the safety of Black students on campus.

Why it matters

Incidents of racial harassment and violence on college campuses are deeply troubling and can have lasting impacts on student well-being and sense of belonging. This case highlights the need for universities to have robust policies and response protocols in place to swiftly address hate crimes and protect vulnerable students.

The details

According to the Black Student Union, the incident occurred shortly after a community event on February 27th. The group of five white teenagers on e-bikes allegedly chased the Black student around the housing area, falsely claiming he had spat on them. During the pursuit, one of the teens struck the back of the student's scooter with his e-bike, causing the student to suffer torn skin, bruising, and an ankle infection. The student ran to the Rosa Parks House and called the police, at which point most of the suspects fled the area. One teen was detained by a responding officer in a nearby parking structure.

  • The incident occurred on February 27th at UC Irvine's Arroyo Vista Housing complex.
  • The victim has since been placed on bed rest and returned home, as he no longer feels safe remaining on campus.

The players

UC Irvine Black Student Union

A student organization that advocates for the interests and well-being of Black students at the university.

UC Irvine Police Department

The law enforcement agency responsible for investigating the hate crime incident on campus.

Unidentified Black Student

The victim of the alleged hate crime, who was chased, spat on, and struck by the group of teenagers.

Five Unidentified Teenage Suspects

A group of white teenagers on e-bikes who allegedly perpetrated the hate crime against the Black student.

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What they’re saying

“The situation escalated when one of the juveniles of the group attempted to ram the victim off the road. Using the front of his bike tire, he struck the back of the victim's scooter and part of his leg. This resulted in torn skin, bruising, and an infection of the victim's ankle.”

— UC Irvine Black Student Union

“The Black Student Union demands that the university and UCIPD take immediate and meaningful action to protect Black students and ensure their safety on this campus. Incidents like this cannot be tolerated, and they will continue to occur if the administration fails to respond with urgency and accountability.”

— UC Irvine Black Student Union

What’s next

Investigators are still searching for the other four suspects involved in the incident. The university has not yet announced any specific actions it will take in response to the hate crime.

The takeaway

This case underscores the ongoing challenges universities face in addressing racial harassment and violence on campus. It highlights the need for comprehensive policies, training, and swift action to protect vulnerable students and foster a truly inclusive environment.