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On May 22, 2020, TMZ shared a video of Denzel Washington, an unidentified individual and several police officers.
The interaction is reported to have taken place in Los Angeles on May 21.
But in light of recent events making national headlines, the video has gained traction on Twitter. Numerous individuals shared the clip on the social media platform with a variety of comments and speculated scenarios of what happened.
On May 28, former NBA player Rex Chapman shared it with the caption:
"Denzel Washington saw a commotion in West Hollywood with cops and an unarmed distressed homeless man."
"He got out of his car and served as a barrier between the man and the police—helping to diffuse a tense situation. This man was arrested safely.🌎❤️"
Denzel Washington saw a commotion in West Hollywood with cops and an unarmed distressed homeless man. He got out of his car and served as a barrier between the man and the police — helping to diffuse a tense situation. This man was arrested safely.🌎❤️ pic.twitter.com/4UyYdX1vT6
— Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@RexChapman) May 28, 2020
It turned out Chapman's version of events was inaccurate.
Details revealed later established that Washington arrived first and the police arrived later for a wellness check on the individual. While they were initially handcuffed, once the individual was deemed safe, they were released from police supervision.
Beforfe those details came out, Chapman's comments received pushback.
The other people in Floyd video tried incredibly hard to tell the cops to stop. The officer on standby wasn't letting them close & asked them to go back on sidewalk. You honestly think if they went & pushed cop off that they'd just let it happen & not arrest. Don't be ignorant
— Tyler Geisler (@ty_geezy) May 28, 2020
What this shows is how wealth and fame can get you special treatment.
If I walked up on that situation, the cops would pull a gun on me and demand me to get back or be charged with interference of a police function...
I know.... I have done that.
Welcome to being special.
— 🍊🍊Capt'n Cornbread🍊🍊 (@PappyUt) May 28, 2020
You are aware that the person who filmed the George Floyd video is literally a 17 year old girl, right? How the hell do you expect a teenager to confront 4+ cops?
— sam🦋 (@stjmarch) May 29, 2020
Another video posted a week later by Moneyshot Photography (@MoPhoPix)—an amateur paparazzi clearing house—featured a discussion with a police Sergeant shortly after the events of the original video.
In it LAPD Sergeant Mackie (sp?) provided details that USA TODAY confirmed with a representative for Denzel Washington.
Want 2 know what really happened with #DenzelWashington and the #LAPD last week while he was being a #goodsamaritan ? Get the real story : this is how an encounter with the cops is supposed to end #turnyourclicksintocash pic.twitter.com/Vcy2ybq9tk
— MoPhoPix (@MoPhoPix) May 28, 2020
The Sergeant stated Washington was driving and spotted the man in the road. The award winning actor stopped to help the man get over to the sidewalk.
A passerby called police.
When LAPD personnel arrived:
"We intervened, spoke with the individual and determined that he did not want to harm himself or others, and he was on his way, and Denzel left."
"Denzel provided him a mask to protect himself from the environment and that was good. So Denzel helped us today."
An LAPD spokesperson would not comment further on the incident.
Despite the lack of details, people praised Washington for stopping to help the man.
Denzel Washington has been my favorite actor for a while now. What he did for that homeless man just reinforced that. 💯💯
— Wes Crochet (@WesKCrochet) May 28, 2020
Denzel is the greatest !!!
— Toshia Wilson (@W765Toshia) May 29, 2020
People had some words of praise for the LAPD Sergeant willing to answer questions as well.
Good cops have nothing to hide. They're forthcoming and not afraid to share their name. Remember they serve the public. Thank you Sargent Machie!
— RocheWHITTLE (@RocheWhittle) May 29, 2020
Love me some Denzel! Great lesson to us all!!!
— Todd (@Todd23326475) May 29, 2020
I saw Denzel Washington trending and got scared, but it was ONLY because he's out there being a hero, saving a life while WEARING HIS DAMN MASK.
MY man! pic.twitter.com/TVvXAGQGQs
— BrooklynDad_Defiant! (@mmpadellan) May 28, 2020
I am naming my next child Denzel. I don't care if it's a girl or a boy.
— Beth Moore (@BethMooreLPM) May 28, 2020
Brothers keeper Denzel Washington ❤️🙏🏾👀 pic.twitter.com/U43S2sxaVx
— David (@davidagunowei) May 28, 2020
No additional details are available at this time, but what is known is welcome at a time when relations between the public and law enforcement have reached explosive levels in more than one city in the United States.