The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating a "racially motivated slur" that was spray painted on a front gate of LeBron James' West LA home.
Police told TMZ that someone spray-painted the "n-word" on the front gate, and detectives are investigating the incident as a possible hate crime.
The graffiti was gone by the time officers arrived because property management had painted over it.
Investigators are looking at security footage.
In a media conference Wednesday, James commented on the incident. Watch in the video player above.
"My family is safe. At the end of the day, that's the most important thing," he said. "It just goes to show that racism will always be a part of the world, a part of America. No matter how much money you have, no matter how famous you are, no matter how many people admire you, being black in America is tough. And we got a long way to go for us as a society and for us as African Americans until we feel equal in America."
MORE: Read the full article from TMZ
The Los Angeles Police Department told ABC News James was likely with the team in Oakland and not at his LA home.
According to ABC 7 Los Angeles, the vandalism was reported at around 6:45 a.m. By the time officers arrived at the home, the racial slur was covered up by property management, police said.
James bought the house in 2015 for over $20 million. The 9,440-square-foot home is not James’ primary residence. He lives in Bath, Ohio.
RELATED: Inside LeBron James' LA Home
In 2015, James and his production company signed a developmental deal with Warner Bros. worth $15 million, an agreement that has him spending more time in Southern California. James spent several weeks in Los Angeles last summer working with his production company.
James’ agent, Rich Paul, declined to comment on the vandalism.
