Frightening photo featuring students in KKK garb with Confederate flag and burning cross goes viral

Five high school students from Creston Community High School in Creston, Iowa, faced disciplinary action after a photo — which featured the group wearing KKK hoods and standing around a burning cross — went viral on social media.

One of the students in the photo appeared to be holding a Confederate flag, while another had a rifle slung over his elbow.

Creston student Trey Cheers shared the photo on Twitter, and indicated that those in the group belonged to the high school football team.

Cheers' caption of the photo read, "Creston high school football players literally did this. Makes me embarrassed to be from this town. Y'all are a bunch of cowards and scum."

Creston high school football players literally did this. Makes me embarrassed to be from this town. Y'all are a bunch of cowards and scum. pic.twitter.com/pmkRDk0WVj

— Trey C. (@TreyCheers) September 6, 2017

School response and law enforcement statements

The Omaha World-Herald reported Wednesday that Principal Bill Messerole of Creston Community High School confirmed that the students in the photo are enrolled at the high school, and added that the students were promptly disciplined after the school learned of the offensive photo.

Messerole refused to elaborate on the students' punishment and referred to the institution's policy on confidentiality.

Several Creston citizens, however, told the World-Herald that the students involved in the incident were suspended for nine days.

In a statement to the World-Herald, Messerole said, "I think we are in the spotlight now and I think it is up to us to be a model. We have to do something. This is not OK."

According to the newspaper, Creston Police Chief Paul Ver Meer said that the police department was not involved in the investigation, and that the school was handling the incident.

Union County Sheriff Rick Piel corroborated Ver Meer's comments, and told The Associated Press that as far as he knows, "it’s all being handled by the school."

"We've spoken to the county attorney, and we can’t come up with a charge," Piel said.

The Des Moines Register spoke to Sgt. Pat Henry at the Creston Police Department, who said that the school had not contacted the police to investigate the incident.

Henry added, "We don’t believe any real crime has been committed. People can have weapons in the country."

A team divided?

A football player from the school who wished to remain anonymous reportedly confirmed to Iowa's WHO-TV that those in the photo are part of the school's football team, and condemned the photo featuring the students.

"The five individuals that were involved with the picture are clearly in the wrong and they will face the consequences eventually," the unnamed football player said.

"But I can promise everyone that as a whole, our football team and community aren't about that," he continued. "The actions made by a small group shouldn't represent the entire football team and community."

He concluded, "I'm proud to be a part of what this team is actually about and it's sad to see something like this ruin a rich tradition we carry."