DURHAM, N.C. ? Two Duke University lacrosse players were arrested on rape charges Tuesday in a scandal that has rocked one of America’s elite campuses and raised explosive questions of race, class and the privileged status of college athletes.

The two players – both graduates of Northern prep schools – were promptly booked and released on bail. District Attorney Mike Nifong said a third player could also be arrested but has yet to be firmly identified.

“It is important that we not only bring the assailants to justice, but also that we lift the cloud of suspicion from those team members who were not involved in the assault,” Nifong said.

Lawyers for the two men bitterly assailed the district attorney for bringing the charges. Other attorneys for Duke’s lacrosse players said the two were not even present at the time the rape is alleged to have occurred.

Reade Seligmann, 20, of Essex Fells, N.J., and Collin Finnerty, 19, of Garden City, N.Y., are accused of attacking a stripper at a team party at an off-campus house on the night of March 13. They were charged with first-degree rape, sexual offense and kidnapping and were released on $400,000 bail each.

Durham County district attorney Mike Nifong, center, answers questions Monday in Durham, N.C. Nifong is the lead prosecutor in the alleged rape by members of the Duke lacrosse team.

The district attorney would not say what evidence led to the charges. But Seligmann’s attorney, Kirk Osborn, said: “Apparently it was a photographic identification. And we all know how reliable that is.”

Finnerty’s attorney, Bill Cotter, said: “The next jury will hear the entire story, which includes our evidence, and we’re confident that these young men will be found to be innocent.”

The case has raised racial tensions and heightened the long-standing town-vs.-gown antagonism between Duke students and middle class, racially mixed Durham. The accuser is black, and all but one of the 47 lacrosse team members are white.

The case has led to the resignation of the coach and the cancellation of the rest of the season.