Presumed racist bleach attacks in Austin were water pranks

What were thought to be a string of racially motived bleach attacks in Austin that attracted protests and national attention have been determined to be a case of pranksters with water balloons.

A noon rally Wednesday against racism at the University of Texas at Austin ended up being a call for unity and solidarity after it was determined that a balloon thrown at a black student was not filled with bleach, as earlier believed.

The reported bleach attack and its racial overtones attracted national headlines. Now, it appears to be a student prank rather than a malicious act, according to university officials.

"Indications are that the balloon dropped last week was filled with water," Gregory J. Vincent, vice president for diversity and community engagement at UT-Austin, said Wednesday in a prepared statement.

"We take seriously the concern that this (recent) incident may have been racially motivated," he stated. "However, water balloon incidents are not uncommon near campus, especially during fall rush activities."

The student, Bryan Davis, told police that he was walking to a friend's apartment on Aug. 21 near the campus near University Towers at 23rd and Pearl streets the balloon hit him in the leg

The attack came on the heels of similar incidents last October, when several minority students told Austin police that they were hit by bleach-filled balloons in West Campus apartment complexes. The attacks sparked a march through West Campus that made national headlines.

Like the most recent case, a probe into the incidents last year determined the balloons had been filled with water, resulting in disciplinary actions taken against several students, said Leslie Blair, a university spokeswoman.

In the most recent incident, university officials collected clothing and balloon remnants from the site and sent them a lab for further forensic testing.

"The University of Texas at Austin has long been committed to promoting diversity and ensuring respect and inclusion throughout the campus community," Vincent stated in the release. "Our university should be a haven and home to students of all backgrounds."

Anyone with information about the cases is asked to call Austin 512-974-5000.