Missouri students apologize for cotton ball prank

COLUMBIA, Mo. | Two University of Missouri students have apologized for scattering cotton balls outside the Black Culture Center on campus.

Nineteen-year-old freshman Sean Fitzgerald and 21-year-old senior Zachary Tucker were arrested Tuesday on suspicion of hate crimes. They have not been charged.

In a letter to campus leaders and student groups issued Friday, the two apologized for their "inexcusable judgment."

The statement described what they called "a series of foolish acts" that included riding a Missouri tiger statue and hoisting a pirate flag at the ROTC building. Both students have been suspended from school.

This story was originally published March 5, 2010 at 12:23 PM with the headline "Missouri students apologize for cotton ball prank."