A 16-year-old is responsible for placing a noose inside a bathroom at a park in New Hartford, according to state police.
The noose was discovered hanging from the back of a door at Brodie Park around 8 a.m. on Monday.
New Hartford recreation director Dennis Minor contacted police about the noose and police began an investigation.
It was found just two days after Minor, who is black, held an event at Brodie park to announce his candidacy for first selectman.
During the investigation, a 16-year-old admitted to placing the noose in the bathroom while attending an meeting at Berkshire Hall in the park on Sunday. He told police it was a prank and that he had no idea Minor worked in the building. The teen said he had no intention to intimidate anyone of any race, police said.
State police do not plan to file charges. The teen said he will personally apologize to Minor.
