The group got involved in an argument with others at the river, including Reich and members of his family. Reich used a derogatory racial epithet that angered members of Tusan's group and they exchanged profanities. Reich twice fired weapons into the air — first a .22-caliber rifle, then a pistol.
``An ugly situation was created,'' Rowan said. ``The 'n' word is so charged with emotion that no one should ever use it for any reason.''
During the confrontation, a White ECU football player removed his belt and swung it at Reich and his family, striking one of his two daughters in the head. The wound required stitches.
Rowan said Reich became enraged by the incident. ``He's furious. He's beside himself,'' the defense attorney said.
Reich pursued a pickup truck containing Tusan, Scales and other ECU students at speeds of up to 100 mph. The truck overturned, throwing seven students from the bed of the truck, after Reich's vehicle struck it in the rear.
Tusan was found under the truck's tailgate, and Scales was lying beside the vehicle.
— Associated Press
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