Petaluma police investigating after former Harlem Globetrotter William Bullard says car vandalized with racial slurs
Police in the North Bay are investigating a hateful incident targeting a Harlem Globetrotter and beloved coach.
William Bullard said someone vandalized his car with racial slurs. He said it happened on Tuesday when his truck was in a Petaluma parking garage.
"I'm not sure why my truck got vandalized. It was just sitting there. But it was very disheartening to see," Bullard said.
Petaluma police said the incident is being investigated as a hate crime. Bullard shared the video on his Instagram. He has a sizeable platform, having previously played for the Harlem Globetrotters for 17 years.
"I'm doing this for awareness. I'm doing this to educate people, and I'm trying to let them know don't be afraid to speak up for yourself if something happens like this," he said. "Like, what's the worst thing that can happen? It can be ignored by the police, OK, but at least you spoke up."
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Living in Sonoma County, Bullard said he's experienced racism before, but this was different.
"But I'm concerned of, like, what's going on in the area -- being in a place where it's 1 to 2% minorities live in? I want to make sure I'm speaking up and being a voice for somebody," Bullard said.
Bullard co-owns a gym that just opened in Petaluma -- it's meant to be a safe space for youth to play and train. He loves being the mentor he never had growing up in Detroit.
"A lot of people don't know that I used to be in a gang way back in the day, that my family is extremely gang-related from back in the day. And I come from a lifestyle that I'm not proud of, but I changed my ways in order to get to where I'm at," he said.
Bullard has fought through adversity in his life: homelessness, foster care and, most recently, cancer. He enjoys working with young adults to influence and guide them.
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"That's the next generation that's coming up. It doesn't matter if they don't have good role models to follow. Then we're not going to be successful in the future," he said.
Bullard doesn't know who is behind the racist writing.
"I'm praying for people, and I'm holding people accountable as well," said
We reached out to Petaluma police for any updates and are waiting to hear back.
