PENNSYLVANIA, Jamaica — A Jamaican family in Pennsylvania is mourning the death of their 16-year-old son after a reported hazing incident with alleged racial undertones that has shaken the community.

Justin Johnson, a sophomore at Central Dauphin High School, who moved to the district two years ago from Jamaica, died following an incident involving three young men, who reportedly showed up at his home and invited him to go outside to play.

Security footage circulating online on Friday showed the three young men at Johnson’s home on Bianca Drive in the Stray Winds Development. It also shows Johnson going outside before the boys are seen running away while hurling racially insensitive language at the teen.

One of the young men was reportedly heard shouting: ‘he’s running like he ran back to Africa’ while another said ‘he ran back to (expletive deleted) Africa.’

Johnson reportedly ran home, only to collapse minutes after the harrowing ordeal.

According to his father, Orville Johnson, his son had sickle cell disease and was not supposed to exert himself. The senior Johnson told the media that his son called him when he eventually came back inside and told him he was having trouble breathing. By the time the father got home, he reportedly found his son unconscious on the floor.

“I called 911 immediately and they told me what to do. They called me and said I have to come to the hospital because they’re not getting a heartbeat, and I haven’t seen him since,” Orville Johnson said.

Online users have since reacted to the incident, calling it a “hate crime.”

“This is not hazing, it is a hate crime,” one user wrote on Facebook.

Another said: “Horrific. Racism is learned behaviour, which means that there are more members of these families most likely perpetuating stereotypes and hate.”

Another user demanded that the perpetrators be charged, saying: This is so heartbreaking, every last child involved in this needs to be charged! Every last one!”

According to Lower Paxton Township Police, no charges have been filed yet but an investigation is ongoing.

Police are asking anyone with information or video to contact them directly at 717-558-5900.

“The Bureau of Police is aware that content and videos are being shared through various social media outlets and requests the public’s cooperation as we continue this investigation in order to provide a thorough, factual, and information-based account of events,” police said.

On Monday morning April 29, Central Dauphin School District released the following statement.

“The Central Dauphin School District is saddened to hear about the passing of Justin Johnson, a 10th-grade student at Central Dauphin High School. We understand that the circumstances around Justin’s death have not been determined, however, there are social media reports that indicated that Justin was subjected to racial insensitivity from classmates,” the statement said.

“Please understand that this type of behaviour is not consistent with our core values and our vision of making sure everyone is valued and connected. Hate speech or any behaviour that denigrates another person’s rights will not be tolerated and is not consistent with the mission, vision, and values of CDSD,” the statement continued.