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NORMAN, Okla.–A Jewish man who accused others of beating him in an alleged hate crime attack on Campus Corner last week was actually the aggressor in the altercation, the Norman Police Department stated in an update Friday.

“Further investigation into the altercation in the 500 block of Buchanan Avenue on Sept. 15 resulted in the discovery of a video depicting the incident,” NPD released in a statement Friday. “Information from the video and subsequent interviews from individuals at the scene have provided significant disagreement with original reports made to our agency and the local media.”

Harrison Hipp originally told News 9 he was walking with his girlfriend to a bar when a stranger asked to wear his hat. Hipp said he refused, and the man became violent.

His girlfriend, described as a witness, said several other guys joined in the fight.

“The other guys start coming in on him and I’m trying to pull the original guy who started the fighting with him,” Emily Rodriguez said. 

norman hate crime
Campus Corner, across the street from the University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma.

On Monday, Norman PD told the Black Wall Street Times hate crimes allegations were being considered as part of the investigation.

“All facts including allegations of a possible hate crime are part of the ongoing investigation,” Norman PD Public Information Officer Sarah Schetter said.

According to video evidence and interviews from witnesses on the scene, however, Hipp was the aggressor, not the victim. Norman PD also appeared to contradict Rodriguez’ claim that several people joined in and jumped Hipp.

Norman PD says no hate crime took place

“The investigation determined that a series of physical altercations between two persons took place over a short period of time. No other persons were involved and relatively few people were present at the time of the incident,” Norman PD stated.

“The reporting party, initially reported as the victim, was shown on video to be the aggressor of the fights and repeatedly engages the other individual showcasing a series of mutual combat,” the Norman PD statement continued, discounting allegations of a hate crime. “Based on the investigation to date, there is no evidence or indication that a hate crime or robbery occurred.”

Moreover, in his original interview with media, Hipp claimed police refused to arrive on scene when he called. Norman PD essentially called him a liar.

“Additionally, in contrast with previous public statements by the reporting party, NPD officers were on scene within minutes of the initial report. Video shows the reporting party driving slowly past several officers at the scene with no attempt to make contact with the officers prior to the leaving the area.”

To read the full statement from Norman PD, visit this link.

The Black Wall Street Times has reached out to Norman Police Department to request the video obtained during their investigation. Follow us for updates.

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Deon Osborne was born in Minneapolis, MN and raised in Lawton, OK before moving to Norman where he attended the University of Oklahoma. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Strategic Media and has...

2 replies on “Alleged hate crime victim was actually aggressor, Norman PD says”

  1. Pingback: VIDEO: Norman PD release footage refuting hate crime allegation

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