Multiple TikTok videos were uploaded showing the shocking moment when a pair of Black bike riders had guns drawn on them by police officers.
On Monday, two Black men were riding their bikes at 11:47 p.m. when they approached Orlando Police officers inside a cruiser with flashing lights. The officer wasted no time drawing their guns on the men and ordering them to get off their bicycles. One of the men, Ian Adams, was wearing a GoPro and captured the entire ordeal on camera.
In one of the clips, Adams can be heard yelling, “Woah, what? What happened?” before explaining to the officers that they had not done anything wrong. The officers ignored the pleas and demanded that they lay on the ground. Once on the ground, officers told Adams’ friend to crawl towards them. After further probing, the officers informed the men that they matched the description of robbery suspects.
Orlando Police Department spokesperson Autumn Jones confirmed that the officers were investigating the robbery of a tourist that took place about ten minutes before the men were detained. However, Adams says that he and his friend were nowhere near the incident. They were leaving a 7-Eleven when they were stopped.
The robbery took place on International Drive, with the victim claiming that his attackers threatened him with a gun before making off with his camera, Apple Watch, and wallet. He described the assailants only as “darker complexion” Black men on bikes.
In a separate video explaining the ordeal, Adams says that the officers held the men on the sidewalk for two to three hours before finally bringing the robbery victim to the scene, who confirmed that the two were not the ones who robbed him. However, Jones disputes these claims, saying that the men were only held for 45 minutes.
Officers did offer an apology. However, Adams feels that his rights were violated and is now fearful of riding his bike at night.
Orlando police have not arrested anyone in connection to the robbery.
