Lamar Richards and his boyfriend had the cops called on them because Bed, Bath & Beyond store employees thought they were shoplifting because they were two Black men and had "high value" items in their cart.
In the video Richards posted of the incident, he was seen asking the police officer who was called why the police were called in the first place. The police officer said it was for potential shoplifting of items at the store.
You can watch the video here.
Richards pressed the officer and the employees who called the police, asking them for justification. The reason eventually given was having "high value" items in their shopping cart.
Richards then got into a discussion about the singular large ticket item, a Dyson vacuum cleaner. Store employees had helped the couple with the selection and were in full knowledge they intended to purchase the vacuum.
Richards and his boyfriend were there taking advantage of the going-out-of-business sale at the retailer to outfit their new home.
Richards went on to contextualize the video, adding the police did not approach them until after they had checked out.
Richards added the whole experience was deeply emotionally damaging.
Many people expressed sympathy for Richards and his boyfriend.
Others asked the obvious questions Bed, Bath & Beyond failed to ask.
Others felt the employees should be ashamed.
People highlighted the racial bias.
Some noticed the employee who called the cops physically hid behind the officers while being confronted.
Some people asserted this sort of behavior is the reason Bed, Bath & Beyond are going out of business.
And good riddance.
Richards and his boyfriend were eventually able to walk away with their purchased items, but with their day ruined.
