Marty Gordon
NRVsports@mainstreetnewspapers.com
Allegations of a hate crime directed at a Virginia Tech professor have been ruled unfounded.
Dr. Onwubiko Agozino, a professor of sociology who lives in Christiansburg, informed the police about a Feb. 10 incident in which a group of white juveniles stopped in front of his house and shoveled snow and ice out of their truck bed. In addition, his police report showed the juveniles were playing loud rap music with profane language.
Agozino, who was born in Nigeria, describes himself as a “scholar-activist who values inclusive excellence and diversity with critical attention focused on people of African descent and other marginalized groups around the world.”
The Christiansburg Police Department handled the incident and released the following statement:
“There have been incorrect reports that this may have been a targeted incident toward a specific residence or person based on racial bias. The Christiansburg Police Department does not tolerate discrimination, hate speech or racial profiling within the Town of Christiansburg. Our investigation has found no evidence of criminal intent or racial bias.”
“After several interviews, including a third-party eyewitness, and a detailed investigation, detectives found that a group of juveniles were attending an organized function at a home in the area,” the town explained.
“Before departure, two juveniles attempted to clear frozen snow and ice out of the bed of a truck, but were unable to completely remove, due to the slope of the vehicle. Upon departure, the juveniles stopped at a flat spot on the street, where a juvenile pushed out the remaining frozen snow and ice.”
Agozino unsuccessfully ran for election to the Virginia House of Delegates to represent District 42 against Del. Jason Ballard in 2025.
