About
Gonzaga’s Jesuit, Catholic, Humanistic education will challenge and inspire you.
September 10, 2026
Dear Gonzaga Community:
Late Friday night, September 11, a student emailed Vice Provost for Student Affairs Kent Porterfield regarding a racial slur directed at them by a passing car. When the email was viewed early Saturday morning, the student was immediately contacted to offer support and assistance filing a report. President Passerini and Interim Provost Bertagnolli were also made aware of the situation.
Based on our initial investigation, including a review of security camera video, the slur was yelled from a car that was driving on Cincinnati, a public street that runs through campus, at approximately 10:24 p.m. It has been determined the individual is not a Gonzaga University student or employee, so CSPS worked with the Spokane Police Department (SPD) to open a police report and pursue law enforcement action. The individual is known to SPD.
Again on Saturday evening, the individual was observed on the public areas of campus. CSPS informed SPD the individual was driving near campus, but SPD could not apprehend him.
We are communicating about this incident now to alert the community and to ask for help reporting any new sightings. Below are pictures of the individual and the vehicle we believe is involved (a black Ford Fusion with Washington license plate CWY3382). If you encounter him or see the vehicle on or near campus, please stay clear and call SPD at 509-456-2233 to make a report (reference report number 2026-20178358). Then call CSPS at 509-313-2222 to aid our officers in their patrols. CSPS will continue to patrol campus looking for this individual, but SPD is the lead agency for investigation and adjudication of this matter.
Racism, harassment and discrimination are not tolerated at Gonzaga University and the safety and well-being of our community are of utmost importance. If you experience or witness an incident of harassment, discrimination, or bias, please report it using our Report a Concern form.
Whenever incidents are reported, we pursue accountability for those found responsible to the greatest extent possible. If you feel unsafe or are struggling due to racism or harassment, please utilize the safety and support resourcesavailable. We are grateful for the many offices and individuals who acted swiftly and according to protocols in response to this incident, including Housing and Residence Life, the Center for Cura Personalis, the Office of Inclusive Excellence, and Campus Security and Public Safety.
It is deeply concerning when any member of our community experiences hate in any form. The ethos of Gonzaga’s Mission calls us to condemn and act against racism in all forms and strive to create the inclusive, caring community that we aspire to be.
Sincerely,
Kent Porterfield, Ed.D.
Vice Provost for Student Affairs
Ray Kliewer, M.Ed., SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer
---
Photos of Suspect and Their Vehicle
Do not approach this individual. Report any sighting on or near campus to SPD at 509-456-2233 and CSPS at 509-313-2222.
