Mateus Romauldo of Murray, Utah, called his mom terrified after school earlier this month. He told her he a group of teenagers driving by in a car rolled down the windows and shouted racial slurs at him as he walked home from school.
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"He felt very terrified and actually told me he thought the kids were going to shoot him," mom Heather Romauldo told WHO-TV.
Romauldo posted the story on Facebook, where it caught the attention of Mateus’ basketball coach, Troy Harlan. He decided to organize a walk so that Mateus wouldn’t feel scared walking home from school.
This is my baby brother. I am so upset, ANGRY and sad. ☹️ I’m overwhelmed with emotion. No 11 year old should ever have to experience this. 💔💔💔 (taken from my moms feed)
Posted by Fiona McPeak on Thursday, October 5, 2017
Hundreds of people showed up to the event to show unity against bullying and racism. Among the supporters, retired Utah Jazz basketball player Thurl Bailey joined in the walk.
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A post shared by Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) on
Romauldo filed a police report, and the incident involving Mateo is being investigated.
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