A five-minute video on Facebook showing a tense altercation between a Black man and a white security guard has folks questioning why the Black guy was the only one whisked away in handcuffs.
The shoving match reportedly unfolded inside a Tim Horton’s in downtown Buffalo on July 19, according to The Buffalo News. It’s unclear what sparked the argument, but a police report states the unnamed security guard accused customer Daryl Mingo of pushing and shoving him, leaving him with “substantial pain, swelling and bleeding to his mouth area.”
At one point, the unnamed guard shoves the Black customer to the ground, knocking over tables and chairs. (Facebook video screenshot)
Mingo, 53, was charged with one misdemeanor count of third-degree assault, as well as violations for trespassing and second-degree harassment. The unidentified guard walked away with zero charges, however.
The video, which has been shared more than 9,000 times, shows Mingo and the security guard arguing near the restaurant’s pick-up counter. It’s still unclear what the two were fighting about.
“I wanna see the owner,” Mingo is heard saying, to which the guard responds that the owner isn’t there.
“You don’t even work here!” Mingo shouts back. “Take yo ass back in the hall.”
The two get in each other’s faces as they continue exchanging words. At one point, the guard frantically wags his finger in Mingo’s face, saying he won’t leave until “[Mingo] gets your ass outta here.”
Their raucous confrontation escalates, as Mingo brushes past the security guard’s arm to reach for something on the counter. “Excuse me,” the customer says as he reaches past the guard, announcing he’s picking up his food. That’s when the security guard slaps his arm away.
“I’ll knock your a** out,” Mingo exclaims, threatening to hit the guard if he puts his hands on him again. Moments later, the guard grabs Mingo by the shoulder and shoves him into several tables and chairs. He walks over to help the man up, saying, “You brought this on yourself, man. Now pick your stuff up.”
The assault only seemed to aggravate Mingo, who was ready to square up with the guard in the middle of the restaurant after the two exchanged some more words. Things seemed to calm down, but for only a second, as the pair began shoving each other and throwing punches.
“I’m going to knock your a** out right now! Put your hands on me,” Mingo says before the guard slaps him in the face. Mingo fights back, throwing punches here and there. The two eventually back off each other. However, it’s not long before a Buffalo police officer comes and places Mingo in handcuffs. He was quickly escorted outside the store.
“Always put the Brother in handcuffs first,” one Facebook user commented.
“Wow really, they just come in and take the black man … no question,” another wrote.
On Monday, Buffalo Police Commissioner Byron Lockwood said the officers involved in the arrest were only shown a portion of the video before arresting Mingo. Officers have since watched the full video and are now investigating the incident, he said.
Watch more in the video below.
https://www.facebook.com/octayviun.solazzo/videos/2111804798889761/
