Police Are Investigating a Potential Hate Crime Against LeBron James

Los Angeles police are investigating a report of racist graffiti at Cleveland Cavalier player LeBron James’ Brentwood, L.A. home. According to the LAPD, the n-word had been spray painted on the outside gate of James’ house.

KTLA reports that officers received a call about the vandalism at 6:44 Wednesday morning. By the time the police arrived, the graffiti had already been painted over. TMZ Sports was the first to report the incident.

James was not at the property at the time. He and the rest of the defending champion Cavaliers will be in Oakland Thursday night for the first game of the NBA finals.

Update:

LeBron James addressed the racist vandalism during a press conference this afternoon.

“My family is safe. At the end of the day they’re safe and that’s what’s the most important. But it just goes to show that racism will always be a part of the world, a part of America,” said a sober James.

“No matter how much money you have, no matter how famous you are, no matter how many people admire you, being black in America is tough. And we got a long way to go, for us as a society, and for us as African Americans, until we feel equal in America.”

Updated 5:26pm: This post was updated to include James’ response to the vandalism.