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A Black family who were shopping at a Holton, Kansas Walmart say they were "racially profiled and publicly humiliated" after the Sheriff's office approached them and accused them of shoplifting on Wednesday evening.
26-year-old Bracey Myles and his fiancé, Alfreda Lange, 20, were held in the parking lot while the authorities painstakingly combed over their receipt after accusing them of shoplifting.
Myles, who had gone to Walmart for groceries for his job and for formula for his newborn son, recorded the video and uploaded it to Twitter.
Somebody help me out I was racially profiled and publicly humiliated pic.twitter.com/fYtwtGOcH9
— TheLakeWolf (@TheLakeWolf) June 17, 2020
They made me keep my newborn son inside the car while they while they “investigated" I wasn't allowed to even start my car..
— TheLakeWolf (@TheLakeWolf) June 17, 2020
I stood there for 5 minutes with my hands up before I started recording by the way..
— TheLakeWolf (@TheLakeWolf) June 17, 2020
Update : This is why I went to Walmart. My supervisor was saying “I wish someone would bring lunch to sale at work". @WalmartInc @Walmart I wasn't bringing this to sell to my co workers. I care. pic.twitter.com/CMHYxREdPU
— TheLakeWolf (@TheLakeWolf) June 18, 2020
Anybody know a lawyer. I have money for the fees.
— TheLakeWolf (@TheLakeWolf) June 17, 2020
Lange said she was worried her fiancé would become another victim of authorities brutalizing Black people while the situation unfolded.
She told the Kansas City Star:
"That's my biggest fear that something might happen and they might decide it's a justified reason when really there's never a justified reason. I was terrified."
What were they even trying to verify by staring at the receipt for 5 minutes but not even looking at the groceries? They're only intent here was to humiliate and probably was hoping to escalate.
— Am (@ayo_ambs) June 18, 2020
On a serious note, that's a heavy lawsuit and you could own that Walmart after this. Do not let up.
— 24K✨ (@tynekabeeka) June 18, 2020
@Walmart @WalmartWorld @WalmartInc @WalmartOrg @WalmartAction so you guys are responsible for emotional distress, endangering a baby because their father was RACIALLY TARGETED we demand ANSWERS
— mrs. midoriya ❤️💙 (@teena3d) June 18, 2020
3 cops...on $100 worth of unstolen groceries. This is racial profiling. Loss prevention doesn't even tap you on the shoulder unless they think it's a bunch of items...and this person had a receipt. He should have been stopped at the door if their was even a question! But bc
— Black Lives Matter (@BloodMoonbeam) June 18, 2020
Calling police on a black man is like putting a hit out on him glad u made it out that situation safe bro
— grindlord34 (@grindlord34) June 17, 2020
After the authorities cleared him to go, Myles tried to re-enter the Walmart to file a complaint against the staff who called the Sheriff's office on him rather than deal with him directly.
The authorities reportedly interfered and told him he had to leave the premises. Myles and Lange are now moving to another town.
Myles said:
"I'm just trying to find my peace of mind because they took that from me."
Tell me why there was more investigation here for some groceries then for people getting hanged in trees. This is absurd
— ReVilutien (@vicettien) June 18, 2020
Cops really out there thinking they solved the great potato mystery of 2020 🙄🙄🙄 i hope they all get employees of the month for helping prevent this heinous crime !
— Color me Nerdy (@nerdscapade) June 18, 2020
They looked scared and they should be cause that ridiculous
— Akaya Bryan (@AkayaBryan) June 18, 2020
Look at those two goombas at the end....I'm assuming they were the ones who called the cops.
— mothwoman (@mothwoman2) June 18, 2020
J. O. B❗️ pic.twitter.com/FQgBKDkBnp
— _derinsola _deniyi Esq. 💯 (@derindizzle007) June 19, 2020
The Jackson County Sheriff's office responded:
"In no way were these individuals racially profiled by members of the Jackson County Sheriff's Office."
"That type of behavior is not tolerated in this office. These deputies simply responded to a call for service."
Whether or not that is true remains to be seen.