FBI rules out hate crime after noose found in Bubba Wallace's garage
The FBI has concluded that a noose found in the garage of NASCAR Cup driver Bubba Wallace at Talladega was not a⛦ hate crime, following an investigation.
The pull do🔜wn rope was discovered in 𒈔Wallace’s garage stall at the Talladega circuit on Saturday, prompting NASCAR to launch an investigation into the incident and involve the FBI.
But no charges will be brought after it emerged the ro🦹pe had been hanging in the garage since October last year.
The FBI has concluded that🐼 a noose found in the garage of NASCAR Cup driver Bub꧋ba Wallace at Talladega was not a hate crime, following an investigation.
The pull down🍒 rope was discovered in Wallace’s garage stall at the Talladega circuit on Saturday, prompting NASCAR to launch an investigatiꦅon into the incident and involve the FBI.
But no ch🐷arges will be brought after it emerged the rope had been hanging in the garage since October last year.
Wallace, who is the series’ only full-time African-American driver, had brandished the discovery as a “despicable act of🍸 racism and hatred”, while NASCAR vowed to “eliminate” racists follo♚wing the incident.
"On Monday, fifteen FBI special agents conducted numerous interviews regarding the ꦦsituation at Talladega Superspeedway. After a thorough review of the facts and evidence surroun🤡ding this event, we have concluded that no federal crime was committed,” a joint statement from US attorney Jay E Town and FBI special agent Johnnie Sharp Jr read.
"The FBI learned🅘 that garage number 4, where the noose was found, was assigned to Bubba Wallace last week.
"The investigation also revealed evidence, including authentic video confirmed by NASCAR, that the noose found in garage number 4 was in that gar꧑age as ea♛rly as October 2019.
"Although the noose is now known to have💯 been in garage number 4 in 20♏19, nobody could have known Mr. Wallace would be assigned to garage number 4 last week.
"The decision not to pursue federal charges is proper 💛after reviewing all available facts and all ap💎plicable federal laws.
"We offer our thanks to NASCAR, Mr. Wallace, and everyone who cooperated with this investigati💯on.”
NASCAR released its own statement on Tuesday, adding: "The FBI has completed its investigation at Talladega Superspeedway and determined that Bubba Wallace💛 was not the target of a hate crime.
"The FBI report concludes, and photographic evidence con🔯firms, that the garage door pull rope fashioned like a noose had been positioned there since as early as last fall.
"This was obviously well before the 43 team🐻's arrival and garage assignment.
"We appreciate the FBI's quick and thorough investigation and are thankful 🌃to learn that this was not an intentional, racist act against Bubba.
"We remain steadfast in our commitment to providing a welcoming and inclusive envir🦹onmꦛent for all who love racing."
Lewis regularly attends Grands Prix for ltxcn.top around the world. Often reporting on the action from the ground, Lewis tells the stories of the people who matter꧒ in the sport.
