Authorities in New York City released parts of a security camera video on Wednesday showing a woman rushing and trying to deal with the 14-year-old son of jazz musician Keon Harold, who Falsely accused of stealing her iPhone that she left on Uber.
The hotel said the 10-second video clip shows the woman engaging with Keon Harold Jr.and arms around him on Saturday in the foyer of the upscale New York Arlo Soho Hotel where Harold and his son were guests.
The New York City Police Department said Tuesday that the teenager’s father „had scrapes on his hand.“ No other injuries were reported.
The police said that they were looking for the woman and „got to know her positively,“ but did not recognize her publicly. Police stated that the incident had not been investigated as an incident of bias. Harold and his son are black and point out that racial bias played a role in the accident.
On Sunday, Harold shared the first-minute video of the hot exchange on social media. In the video, the woman can be heard addressing the father and son shouting, „Show me my phone!“ A man in the video can also be heard identifying himself as the hotelier asking to see Harold Jr.’s phone.
Before the video was cut, the woman seemed to be approaching Harold, causing the jazz musician to shout, „Raise your hands!“
The video quickly went viral over the weekend, with many on social media accusing the woman and hotel staff of racial discrimination against Harold and his son.
NBC News has not identified the woman, and it is not clear what happened before or after what appeared in the surveillance footage or Harold’s video.
The woman told CNN on Tuesday that she was assaulted during the fight on Saturday, but the network was unable to confirm her claims with the investigators or the hotel. The New York Police Department and Arlo Soho did not immediately respond to NBC News‘ request for comment.
The 22-year-old said she initially asked someone else to „empty his pocket“ before confronting Harold Jr., which CNN was unable to confirm, according to the network.
The woman said she was concerned about how it was portrayed in the video, saying it was not an accurate portrayal.
„That’s not me. I actually … try my hardest to make sure I’m always doing the right thing.“
CNN did not publicly identify the woman due to safety concerns unrelated to the accident.
She added that she was ready to cooperate with the investigators, but said she had not received a call from the authorities and had not yet communicated. She also said that she is ready to talk to the Harold family.
The woman stopped responding to the network after she initially agreed to provide evidence confirming her allegation of assault, according to the network.
The Arlo hotel apologized to the Harold family on Monday, saying „more could have been done to de-escalate the conflict.“
„We are deeply disappointed by the recent incident of unfounded accusation, prejudice and assault on an innocent guest at the Arlo Hotel,“ the hotel said in a statement. statement. „No Arlo guest – or anyone – should be subject to this kind of behavior.“
„We are committed to making sure that this does not happen again at any of our hotels,“ the hotel said.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who represents the Harold family, has called on the Manhattan attorney general to press charges of assault and battery against the woman.
Crump also called for a civil rights investigation at the Arlo Hotel because of „implicit bias“ in his treatment of the Harolds.
A Manhattan administration spokesman told NBC News on Monday that the office was „thoroughly investigating this incident.“
The jazz musician, accompanied by Cramp and Reverend Al Sharpton, spoke at a press conference on Wednesday.
„I can’t even go downstairs in New York City – the excellent New York City – and go to lunch without being attacked and mistakenly accused of something,“ Harold said. „The idea of trauma goes beyond any charge that could exist at any time.“
„I want my son to be fully grown,“ he said.
