A viral video was shared on TikTok and Twitter showing a woman calling the cops on Ya'shear Bryant, a Black man, at Walmart in Moreno Valley, California because she assumed he stole her son's cell phone.
The TikTok user @cristinahatesyou shared the video.
It begins with Bryant explaining how she was following him throughout the store and then into the parking lot. She continues to follow him as he goes back into the Walmart with police on a call with her.
The text over the video said:
"She even took it as far as complaining to a store manager."
@cristinahatesyou He was falsely accused & she had already called 911 🤦♀️ #morenovalleynews #karen #fyp #racialprofiling #karengonewild #walmart #morenovalley
Bryant said while filming the woman behind him:
"She accused me of stealing her son's phone, followed me outside the store. First she was eyeing me in the store. … I know I'm Black with tattoos, so she automatically assumes I have it."
"His location says it's me. I [don't] have her son's phone but she's followed me outside of Walmart here in Moreno Valley."
Bryant explained to the manager:
"Being responsible for the phone, that's not my fault, but being racially profiled, that's going to be her fault."
According to Atlanta Black Star, the phone was allegedly being tracked and said it was in Bryant's possession.
A moment later, her facial expression changed as she realized her son had left his phone in her car the entire time.
The text on the video said:
"This is the moment she realized she f'd up."
She then berated her child.
Bryant had asked:
"What'll happen when you're wrong?"
"What do I get, just an apology?"
She replied:
"Sure."
He continued:
"That's not good enough for me."
Bryant said he will press charges.
When Bryant asked for her name she responded with:
"No. You can go f*ck yourself."
She walked away without an apology for the mistake that could have put Bryant in danger had the phone not been found.
Bryant shouted after her he has her license plate number.
Many are now wondering where is the accountability for not only the woman who called the police, but for the manager who did nothing to address the situation.
The manager originally said Bryant could not record the situation, but he replied he needed to keep a record for his safety.
@honeybee8819/TikTok
@jeaninejeniehurley/TikTok
@cykoprincess/TikTok
@sunnyxdc/TikTok
@blackcrystal77777/TikTok
@liraaa.g/TikTok
@oliviaolsen6/TikTok
She needs to become famous. If not for racially profiling in the first place, for the way she reacted after she realized that she had made a mistake.— Radical Liberal \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@Radical Liberal \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8) 1626285996
It would have been one thing if she apologized after realizing she had blown it, but man....— Mead\ud83e\udd28ws! \u2708\ufe0f (@Mead\ud83e\udd28ws! \u2708\ufe0f) 1626285709
Can Twitter CSI also find out who the dismissive Walmart employee is???!!!pic.twitter.com/olQqkZcdUo— Truth Hertz (@Truth Hertz) 1626291871
Somebody tell Christian Cooper this shyt ain't isolated and they DON'T learn their lesson.pic.twitter.com/aId8q0L9C2— TheTruthWillPrevail (@TheTruthWillPrevail) 1626289956
I felt pained for her son. This is the type of life lesson he ends up getting from his parent... treat others like crap, and if you're wrong - treat them even worse.— Lucy's Dad (@Lucy's Dad) 1626286947
He's got her license plate. He's got witnesses from the store. Follow it up. Press charges. She didn't even have the decency to apologize. She should not get a pass on this.— Syulang Aean (Blue Flower) (@Syulang Aean (Blue Flower)) 1626286189
Do they ever ask themselves is it worth it to accuse innocent black people of a crime they didn't commit? What is the end game of their racism?— David Weissman (@David Weissman) 1626287887
The woman's shirt identified her as a possible employee of the health care company Kaiser Permanente.
They reached out on Twitter to say they are looking into the incident as well.
Thank you for sharing this. This video has been brought to our attention and we are actively investigating it. The conduct in this video does not in any way reflect the views or beliefs of Kaiser Permanente.— Kaiser Permanente (@Kaiser Permanente) 1626291497
@davenewworld_2 thank you for sharing this! \nWe really have to do something about this @aboutKP \n\nAs a black man, it is so difficult out here for all of us, in order for us to change your people like you have to do something about it!— Dr. keith Harley Jr. (@Dr. keith Harley Jr.) 1626304650
What is there to investigate? She must be held accountable for her blatant racism. Not a good look KP!— ReggaeShark\ud83e\udd88\ud83c\udfb8\ud83c\udfb6\u26be\ud83c\udfd2\ud83d\udc3e#NancyIsABadass\ud83d\udc60 (@ReggaeShark\ud83e\udd88\ud83c\udfb8\ud83c\udfb6\u26be\ud83c\udfd2\ud83d\udc3e#NancyIsABadass\ud83d\udc60) 1626293749
This would make me so nervous to walk into one of your establishments knowing I could be harassed by this lady for no reason based off her own suspicion. Please let us know we can count on your businesses to feel safe.— Stacey (@Stacey) 1626309814
No additional comments have been made by Ya'shear Bryant, the woman who harassed him, Kaiser Permanente or Walmart at this time.