An encounter between a CVS employee and a Black teenager escalated into a 911 call, which resulted in the teen’s arrest after the employee claimed he had a knife when he did not.
According to local media, police officers in North Charleston, South Carolina, were dispatched to a CVS store on September 29 to respond to a disturbance involving a youth.
“The caller reported that a male individual inside the store was yelling, using profane language, and allegedly threatening employees. North Charleston Police Chief Ron Camacho said in a statement that the individual was also suspected of carrying a knife.
Police said they apprehended the teen who matched the suspect description after a brief struggle.
However, no weapon was discovered and no injuries were reported.
A video of the arrest went viral online, showing the teen and a police officer fighting as the cop attempts to handcuff the teen.
Witnesses yell that the teen did not do anything wrong as he resists and protests his detention. As the teen continues to struggle, two more cops arrive to try to subdue him.
One witness to the arrest confronts the employee who called 911 and reported that the boy had threatened her.
Witness says, “You did this!”
CVS Employee: “You did not understand what he did! “He threatened me with a knife.”
The witness responded: “No, I was in the store the entire time, honey, I saw it all!”
CVS employee: “Then why didn’t you defend me?”
Witness: “Defend you? “He didn’t do anything wrong!”
The video returns to the scene of the struggle as the crowd grows and more officers arrive. One officer questions the crowd about the 911 call.
“Y’all called because he pulled a knife on you?” the cop inquires, eliciting outraged shouts from bystanders.
“No, he did not! “He did not do anything!” One woman yelled.
The woman who recorded the arrest says the CVS cashier who called the cops mistook the teen’s slang for a threat.
“The only thing he said he would pull out is a band and a band is money!” she yelled.” “If she don’t know the slang, she need to shut the hell up!”
Footage of the arrest gained traction on social media, with prominent right-wing accounts on X claiming the juvenile was armed and had threatened a white employee; however, those reports remain unsubstantiated. Although reports have also surfaced that the individual may have been selling candy, that detail remains unconfirmed, according to the police. Following the incident, the juvenile involved was released to a parent and charged with third-degree assault and breach of peace.
Authorities stated that after taking the teen into custody, they charged him with third-degree assault and breach of peace before releasing him to his parents.
“We understand that this incident has raised concerns in our community, especially since it involved a juvenile. While there have been reports that the individual was selling candy, this has yet to be confirmed, according to Camacho.
Following an internal investigation into the incident, police determined that the responding officers did not violate any policies.
“In accordance with department policy, incidents involving the use of force are investigated by our Office of Professional Standards (Internal Affairs) and the Use of Force Training Unit.” Camacho stated that no policy violations had been identified.
