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SANTA MONICA, Calif. — A black student claiming he was racially bullied at a Southern California high school says his wrestling teammates tied a noose around a wrestling dummy, chained him to his locker and made racist comments.

The Santa Monica High School students have been suspended. The number of students involved hasn’t been disclosed.

Police are investigating. Sgt. Richard Lewis says the students could face assault and hate-crime charges.

Investigators say the incident occurred more than a month ago but the student and his mother didn’t report it to police until June 21.

The mother of the alleged victim tells the Los Angeles Times she was never notified by the school and didn’t find out about the incident until she heard about it from a parent she did not know.

Principal Hugo Pedroza sent a June 16 e-mail to parents announcing the suspensions.