Viral Videos of White Men Harassing a Black Teenager in a Florida Neighborhood, Sparking a Police Investigation – Essence

Series viral videos launched a local police investigation after a group of white men followed and harassed a black teenager as he walked through his neighborhood in Sarasota, Florida.

The teenager, who has not been publicly identified, went for a walk on Oct. 10 to confer with his girlfriend on his cellphone after Hurricane Milton left their area without power and limited cell service, in line with his mother, Whitney Portela. shared the recording on TikTok and Facebook.

As he walked, 4 white men from the identical neighborhood began following him and asking him unreasonable questions on where he lived. It was then that the teenager began recording himself because his mother said he felt unsafe. The disturbing videos have since gained over 4 million views.

“Of course he doesn’t live here,” one of the lads says I heard a saying in the background.

“You passed my house 4 times; I do not know you; I’ve never seen you before and also you keep walking past my house,” one other man tells the teenager.

– Do you reside here? – one other man asks.

“I’m part of the neighborhood,” the teenager replies.

“Do you reside here? You approached my wife,” accuses one of the lads.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” the teenager says. – And I believe I can walk around my neighborhood.

“Yes, if you live here,” one of the lads replies.

Portela stated that although the recordings only show snippets of the interaction, her son was observed for over ten minutes.

“I’m so happy he recorded every moment and I’m grateful my baby is still here,” Portela wrote on TikTok. “I don’t want to live in a community that doesn’t welcome me and my children because of the color of our skin.”

Another clip posted by Portela shows one of the lads harassing the teenager getting out of a white sedan, pulling something from the passenger seat after which attempting to attack the teenager before one other man stopped him and restrained him.

In one other video, the teenager stops to confer with a Sarasota County sheriff’s deputy. He points to the lads following him and asks the deputy if their actions might be considered harassment.” “They are angry because I am in such an area,” said the teenager.

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the news Sarasota Herald-Tribune that she was aware of the video and stated: “Detectives have been assigned and are actively locating and interviewing witnesses. The Sheriff’s Office takes these matters seriously and will thoroughly investigate any allegations of criminal activity.”

Leaders of the Sarasota chapter of the NAACP are working with the family and law enforcement to discover the male suspects. “When I saw the video, it was deeply disturbing,” said Trevor Harvey, president of the Sarasota NAACP. “It is upsetting that in 2024 we’re still scuffling with these issues for young men of color. It’s heartbreaking that we will not even walk in our own neighborhood without being harassed by someone who thinks we do not belong because of the colour of our skin.

Harvey emphasized the broader implications of the incident: “This is a clear reflection of the current climate in our country. It’s disheartening that we still have to deal with these types of problems.”

He also expressed immediate concern after seeing the footage. “This video reminded me of Ahmaud Arbery and we certainly do not want a similar tragedy to occur in our community. These people must be held accountable,” Harvey added.