In a shocking incident captured on video, four white men were seen suspiciously following a black teenager in a Florida neighborhood. The police have swiftly launched an investigation into the matter to ensure justice is served.
The video, which has been widely circulated on the Socials, shows the black teen nervously walking down a street while the four men trail closely behind him. The teenager can be seen constantly looking over his shoulder, clearly aware of the intimidating presence behind him.
The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, alarmed by the alarming nature of the video, wasted no time in launching a thorough investigation. The authorities are taking the incident extremely seriously, with hopes of shedding light on the motives behind the men’s actions.
The teen, who has not been publicly identified, had gone for a walk on October 10 to speak to his girlfriend on his cellphone after Hurricane Milton left their area without power and limited cell service, according to his mother, Whitney Portela, who shared the footage on TikTok and Facebook.
As he walked around, four white men from the same neighborhood started to follow him and asked unwarranted questions about where he lived. That’s when the teenager began recording himself because his mother said he felt unsafe. The disturbing videos have since gained more than four million views.
“Obviously, he doesn’t live here,” one man is heard saying in the background.
“You’ve been past my house four times; I don’t know you; I’ve never seen you before, and you’re walking past my house over and over again,” another man tells the teen.
“Do you live out here?” another man asks.
“I’m a part of the neighborhood,” the teen responds.
“Do you live here? You went up to my wife,” one man accuses.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” the teen states. “And I think I can walk around my neighborhood.”
“Yeah, if you live here,” one of the men responds.
Portela stated that while the clips only show parts of the interaction, her son was followed for more than ten minutes.
“I am so happy he recorded every moment, and thankful my child is still here,” Portela wrote on TikTok. “I do not want to live in a community that does not welcome me and my children because of the color of our skin.”
Another clip Portela posted shows one of the men harassing the teen exit a white sedan, retrieve something from the passenger seat, and then try to charge at the teen before another man stops him and holds him back.
In another video, the teenager stops to talk to a Sarasota County sheriff’s deputy. He points out the men following behind him and asks the deputy if their actions could be considered harassment.”‘ They’re mad because I’m in a neighborhood like this,” said the teen.
The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune that it is 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 fully investigate any allegations of criminal activity.”
As the investigation unfolds, the community stands united in support of the black teenager, emphasizing the importance of equality, justice, and the need for these incidents to be eradicated from society.
Flip to the next page to watch the viral video…
