Yesterday at 10:06 am, deputies responded to Sonoma Raceway after receiving a call that a noose was found hanging from a tree near the old administration building. The suspected noose was found on Saturday, June 20, at approximately 8:00 am by an employee. The Sheriff’s Office began investigating this incident as a possible hate crime.
The quarter-inch thick rope was cut down by employees upon its discovery, then handed over to deputies yesterday. The tree branch was approximately 14 feet above the ground. The rope appeared to be weathered from being outside for an extended period.
A Raceway tenant remembered seeing the rope hanging from the tree about 7 to 8 years ago after crashing a model airplane. It was not tied in a noose at that time.
Violent Crimes detectives are looking through video surveillance footage for leads on a suspect. This is all the information we have right now.
We are continuing to investigate this incident with the FBI and are committed to conducting a thorough investigation and trying to find the person(s) involved in this incident. We understand why this case is disturbing for many people. We take potential hate crimes very seriously and want everyone to feel safe in Sonoma County.
Prepared by Sergeant Juan Valencia, Public Information Officer
Case No: 200622-007
Media inquiries: 707-565-3941
