COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – One of the black cadets allegedly targeted by racial slurs scrawled on a whiteboard at the Air Force Academy Preparatory School was responsible for the incident, Air Force Academy officials announced Tuesday.

Officials say the cadet admitted to writing the messages on the whiteboard outside the dorm rooms of five black cadet candidates. The cadet is no longer at the school, but a spokesman declined to say whether the student withdrew or was expelled.

The student's name wasn't released.

The Air Force Academy launched an investigation after images of the graffiti began surfacing on social media in September.

The episode prompted a quick response by academy officials, including superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria, who gave an impassioned speech condemning racism.

"There is absolutely no place in our Air Force for racism. It's not who we are, nor will we tolerate it in any shape or fashion," Silveria said. "I've said it before, the area of dignity and respect is my red line. Let me be clear; it won't be crossed without significant repercussions."

The Air Force Academy declined to release additional information citing cadet privacy.

The prep school is separate from the academy and helps promising students meet the academy's entrance requirements.

The Associated Press contributed to this report