ANDERSON TWP. — Turpin High School administators are investigating an incident in which a group of Turpin football fans shouted racial slurs at African-American members of the Walnut Hills High School Marching Band on Aug. 31.

        Turpin principal Keith Kelly on Friday expressed deepest apologies and regrets to Walnut Hills students and administrators, saying officials have not yet identified the culprits.

        “I can't feel any worse for those students from Walnut Hills that had to be subjected to such complete and blatant ignorance,” Mr. Kelly said.

        “Our student body is appalled and embarrassed that somebody would act that way and would hope that we all won't be painted with the same brush.”

        Walnut Hills principal Marvin Koenig said he was “flabbergasted” by the display and expressed relief that Turpin officials are viewing it as a serious issue.

        “That is not something our students are used to experiencing, so it was very much a surprise to us that Turpin fans would behave that way,” Mr. Koenig said. “There is obviously some ignorance that neither the school personnel at Turpin or at our school anticipated.”

        During halftime, shortly after Walnut Hills' 116-member marching band took the field, statements such as “You n-----s do not belong on our football field” began raining down from the Turpin grandstands.

        Mr. Kelly said Turpin officials were informed of the incident by a parent who had heard the comments but did not see who was saying them. Administrators immediately began combing the bleachers but could not find the perpetrators, Mr. Kelly said.

        He added it is not known whether they were students, young adults or parents.

        “Our superintendent immediately approached their band director and offered a very sincere apology for the incident,” Mr. Kelly said. “I also called the principal at Walnut Hills and expressed my regrets.”

        Turpin students have drafted a letter of apology to be delivered to Walnut Hills on Monday, Mr. Kelly said. The two schools also have talked about starting an exchange student program to promote goodwill and understanding.

        The two schools regularly compete in sports.

        “I don't think this will affect our future relationship with Turpin whatsoever,” said Mr. Koenig.

        But one parent of a Walnut Hills band member isn't quite so sure. Bill Phelps, of Westwood, said he appreciates the apologies but they do little to erase such a negative experience from the memories of those band members.

        “With apologies to the decent caring people in the Turpin community and school, it will be a long time before I read or hear the word "Turpin' and do not think of spoiled, upper-middle-class, prejudiced children,” Mr. Phelps said.

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