A Los Angeles home owned by LeBron James has been vandalized with a racial slur, according to a report from TMZ.
Law enforcement sources told TMZ police have launched an investigation after someone came to the front gate of James' house and spray-painted the n-word on it. The incident took place early Wednesday morning, and LAPD investigators are searching through security footage from neighbors in the hope the footage will reveal the criminal.
James, who has reportedly owned the house since 2015, is currently preparing to play in his seventh straight NBA Finals. He was not at the home when the incident took place, and TMZ is reporting that it does not appear he lives or stays there on any sort of regular basis.
The 32-year-old Cavaliers star has been one of the most outspoken athletes on social issues during the latter half of his career. He wore an "I Can't Breathe" warmup shirt in memory of Eric Garner, honored Trayvon Martin in an iconic photo alongside his former teammates in Miami, and recently spoke out against the racism faced by Orioles outfielder Adam Jones during a game in Boston.
"It’s not great for society," James said while speaking about the Jones incident. "You’ve got guys like Martin Luther King, who all he talked about was trying to unite all of us, no matter the color, no matter the race, no matter the shape or size. We know this is going to happen for, racism is going to be a part of time forever, I believe. But I think for us, the people that have opportunities to have a voice and people that have an opportunity to have some play on the youth that’s coming up, we have to lead them the best way we can."
Police are investigating the incident at the home as a possible hate crime.
