A Manhattan man whose car was defaced with racist graffiti admitted he was responsible for the graffiti, Riley County police said Monday.

Dauntarius Williams, 21, expressed regret for his actions, Riley County Police Department officials said in a news release.

"I would like to deeply apologize to the community," Williams said in a statement provided by police. "The whole situation got out of hand when it shouldn’t have even started. It was just a Halloween prank that got out of hand. I wish I could go back to that night but I can’t. I just want to apologize from the bottom of my heart for the pain and news I have brought you all."

The FBI joined the investigation into the matter after it was reported Nov. 1. The graffiti contained racist slurs and a threat.

Though Williams filed a false report, Riley County Police Department Director Brad Schoen and Riley County Attorney Barry Wilkerson decided not to press charges.

"While Williams’ mistake had a decidedly negative impact on the community, please recognize that he, like many of us when we were young, is a young man who made a mistake and is now doing his best to own up to it," Schoen said.

Police said the case created difficulties in the community.

"While the community response to the incident was warranted based on the information available at the time, the facts are now different than previously reported. We want to encourage everyone to take a moment to reflect on this new information," public information officer Hali Rowland said. "We hope the community will remain vigilant, engaged and concerned for the safety and wellbeing of our fellow citizens."