LUNENBURG, Mass. (WHDH) — Police in Lunenburg were investigating a racist message spray painted on an 8th grader's home.
Thirteen-year-old Isaac Phillips plays football for Lunenburg High School and the message, that contained the N-word, was just the latest incident of what his parents called harassment. His parents said some of his teammates were behind it.
The couple met with school administrators Monday morning and learned that two weeks ago, players on the Lunenburg football team were accused of yelling racial slurs during a game against Worcester. The same hate slurs that someone spray-painted across the family's home.
“It is almost like they were trying to hide the fact that those allegations were there,” said Isaac’s father.
“Just to continually keep telling us…they can't believe it. It is a lie. They were outright lying to my face,” Isaac’s mother said.
Earlier this season, someone put water in one of his football cleats and put it in the garbage. Then, someone slashed his bike tire.
On Sunday night, hundreds gathered for a community vigil for the eighth-grade JV football player. The family appreciated the support but Isaac is clearly still hurt.
“I just want the family to know that we do feel bad about what happened. And that, you know, my husband can't reach out to Isaac, because of that reason,” said Debbie Truax, football coach’s wife.
“It’s hard to imagine something worse happening to a kid in school,” one parent said.
Following this latest incident, the school district cancelled Friday's football game and released a statement saying they were supporting Phillips and his family.
That support might not be enough though. Phillips said he wants to transfer to the nearby Leominster school district.
The Lunenburg Public Schools do not tolerate racial slurs of any kind. When they have more answers, they will take action soon.