No charging decision made yet in case related to viral video
Jun. 10—ROCHESTER — The Rochester City Attorney's Office has not made a charging decision for the case involving Shiloh Hendrix, a woman caught on video using a racial slur at a Rochester park.
According to City Attorney Michael Spindler-Krage, the office has no updates to report yet, as of Monday, June 9.
The viral video's case was referred to the city attorney's office on May 5 after the Rochester Police Department completed its investigation.
The original video, which was posted on April 28, depicted a man confronting the woman for calling a Black child a racial slur at a Soldiers Field Park playground. Though the original video was deleted, social media influencers had reposted the video with their own commentary. One user's repost on TikTok has since garnered 14.2 million views and 1.3 million likes.
The woman in the video identified herself as Shiloh Hendrix in a crowdfunding campaign, asking the public to help her family relocate after their personal information was leaked. As of Tuesday, June 10, Hendrix's campaign has raised more than $790,000. In response to her fundraising efforts, the Rochester branch of the NAACP created a GoFundMe to raise $340,000 for the child in the video and his family.
Days after the video was posted, a town hall and protests were held to encourage the city attorney's office to press charges against Hendrix. At the time, Spindler-Krage said it would be premature to estimate when a final decision would be made but that his office would release its decision publicly.
The Rochester branch of the NAACP urged the city attorney's office and Olmsted County Attorney's Office "to act with urgency, seriousness, thoroughness, and expediency." The statement listed seven Minnesota criminal statutes the organization believes would apply to the case.
The case marks the second completed investigation into a high-profile incident involving race in Rochester over the last year.
On April 14, 2024, a racial slur was spelled out using plastic cups in the chain-link fence on the pedestrian bridge over East Circle Drive. The Rochester Police Department identified the four teenagers responsible for the act and referred the case to the Olmsted County Attorney's Office on June 3, 2024. Three days later, former County Attorney Mark Ostrem said his office would not file charges.
While the incident was offensive, Ostrem wrote at the time, it has protection under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
In August 2024, a state representative found racist graffiti painted on her shed, a swastika on a window of her home, and paint over all but one of the surveillance cameras around her house. The investigation has not been completed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
37 minutes ago
- Yahoo
A repeat of Rodney King? Local leaders say L.A.'s latest unrest is nothing like 1992
The clashes between National Guard troops, police and protesters in recent days have evoked memories for some Angelenos of the deadly riots that erupted after LAPD officers were acquitted of brutally assaulting Black motorist Rodney King in 1992. But leaders who were involved in dealing with the uprising more than three decades ago say what has unfolded with President Trump's deployment of soldiers to Los Angeles and surrounding communities bears no resemblance to the coordinated response that took place then. 'It's not even close,' said former LAPD chief and city councilman Bernard Parks, who was a deputy chief in the police department during the 1992 unrest. 'You get a sense that this is all theatrics, and it is really trying to show a bad light on Los Angeles, as though people are overwhelmed." The chaos of 1992 unfolded after four LAPD officers who were videotaped beating King the prior year were not convicted. It took place at a time of deep distrust and animosity between minority communities and the city's police department. Federal troops and California National Guard units joined forces with local law enforcement officers to quell the turmoil, but not without harrowing results. More than 60 people were killed, thousands were injured and arrested, and there was property damage that some estimate exceeded $1 billion. What has played out recently on the city's streets is significantly more limited in scope, Mayor Karen Bass said. 'There was massive civil unrest [then]. Nothing like that is happening here,' Bass said on CNN on Sunday. 'So there is no need for there to be federal troops on our ground right now.' As of Wednesday evening, several hundred people had been arrested or detained because of their alleged actions during the protests, or taken into custody by federal officials because of their immigration status. On Tuesday, after the 101 Freeway was blocked by protesters, buildings in downtown Los Angeles were vandalized and businesses ransacked, Bass imposed a curfew in the city's civic core from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. that is expected to last several days. Read more: Bass enacts curfew in downtown L.A. to stem chaotic protests Zev Yaroslavsky, who served on the City Council in 1992, recalled that year as "one of the most significant, tragic events in the city's history." He described the riots as "a massive citywide uprising," with "thousands of people who were on the streets in various parts of the city, some burning down buildings." Yaroslavsky, who was later on the county Board of Supervisors for two decades, said that while some actions protesters are currently taking are inappropriate, the swath of Los Angeles impacted is a small sliver of a sprawling city. "All you're seeing is what is happening at 2nd and Alameda," he said. "There's a whole other city, a whole other county that is going about its business." Another significant distinction from 1992, according to people who lived through it, was the bipartisan coordination among local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. Gov. Pete Wilson, a Republican, and Democratic Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley requested assistance from then-President George H.W. Bush. That's a stark contrast from what started unfolding last week, when Trump's administration sent ICE agents to Los Angeles and federalized the state's National Guard without request by the state's governor, which last happened in the United States in the 1960s. "The biggest difference is that the governor requested federal help rather than having it imposed over his objection," said Dan Schnur, a political professor and veteran strategist who served as Wilson's communication's director in 1992. "There were some political tensions between state and local elected officials. But both the governor and the mayor set those aside very quickly, given the urgency of the situation." Loren Kaye, Wilson's cabinet secretary at the time, noted times have changed since then. "What I'm worried about is that there aren't the same incentives for resolving the contention in this situation as there were in '92," he said. Then, "everyone had incentives to resolve the violence and the issues. It's just different. The context is different." Parks, a Democrat, argued that the lack of federal communication with California and Los Angeles officials inflamed the situation by creating a lag in local law enforcement response that made the situation worse. 'You have spontaneous multiple events, which is the Achilles heel of any operation,' he said. 'It's not that they're ill-equipped, and it's not that they're under-deployed,' Parks said. 'It takes a minute. You just don't have a large number of people idly sitting there saying, okay, we are waiting for the next event, and particularly if it's spontaneous.' Protests can start peacefully, but those who wish to create chaos can use the moment to seek attention, such as by burning cars, Park said. The end result is images viewed by people across the country who don't realize how localized the protests and how limited the damage was in recent days. 'The visuals they show on TV are exactly what the folks in Washington want to be seen,' Parks said. On Monday, the president deployed hundreds of Marines from Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms. State leaders have asked for a temporary restraining order blocking the military and state National Guard deployments, which is expected to be heard in federal court on Thursday. Read more: California asks court for restraining order to block Guard, U.S. Marine deployments in L.A. Trump, speaking to U.S. Army troops at Ft. Bragg in North Carolina on Tuesday, said that he deployed National Guard troops and Marines to Los Angeles 'to protect federal law enforcement from the attacks of a vicious and violent mob.' The president descried protesters as leftists pursuing a "foreign invasion" of the United States, bent on destroying the nation's sovereignty. 'If we didn't do it, there wouldn't be a Los Angeles," Trump said. "It would be burning today, just like their houses were burning a number of months ago." Newsom responded that the president was intentionally provoking protesters. 'Donald Trump's government isn't protecting our communities — they're traumatizing our communities,' Newsom said. 'And that seems to be the entire point.' Read more: Newsom, in California address, says Trump purposely 'fanned the flames' of L.A. protests Activists who witnessed the 1992 riots said the current turmoil, despite being much smaller and less violent, is viewed differently because of images and video seen around the world on social media as well as the plethora of cable outlets that didn't exist previously. "They keep looping the same damn video of a car burning. It gives the impression cars are burning everywhere, businesses are being looted everywhere," said Earl Ofari Hutchinson, president of the Los Angeles Urban Policy Roundtable. Hutchinson, an activist from South L.A. who raised money to rebuild businesses during the 1992 riots, said he was concerned about the city's reputation. "L.A. is getting a bad name," he said. Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter. Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond, in your inbox twice per week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Yahoo
38 minutes ago
- Yahoo
22-Year-Old Becomes Sole Caregiver for Grandmother and Brother After Parents Drown in Riptide
After her parents drowned in Florida, a 22-year-old college student is now the sole caregiver for her brother and grandmother Authorities said that a bystander borrowed a boogie board and was able to get her brother to shore, saving his life However, despite "extensive lifesaving measures" authorities were not able to save Peter and Sonia NguyenA 22-year-old college student in Georgia is now the primary caregiver for her brother and grandmother after her parents drowned in a riptide. The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office confirmed that a 57-year-old man and his 54-year-old wife — later identified by authorities as Peter and Sonia Nguyen — drowned near a resort in Destin, Fla., last month. They were both residents of Buford, Ga. 'Beach safety personnel pulled the mother out of the water while Destin Beach Safety and an OCSO Marine Unit located the father," authorities said in a statement. "Intense and extensive lifesaving measures were performed on both but were unsuccessful." 'Witnesses say the couple and their son were spotted struggling in the Gulf about 75 to 100 yards offshore,' officials continued. 'A bystander borrowed a boogie board and went out to try to rescue them. He was able to get the 26-year-old son to shore, and his actions saved the young man's life.' According to the sheriff's office, yellow flags were flying on the beach at the time of the incident, indicating moderate surf or currents. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Now, their daughter Sara is left to care for her grandma and brother, who "requires a high level of care and attention to meet his lifelong needs" due to a "medical condition sustained at birth," according to a GoFundMe set up to support her. In addition to caring for her family members, who both lived with her parents, Sara is also "responsible for managing the household, covering funeral expenses, and continuing her full-time college education." "Sara's faith is a source of strength during this time," the organizer continued, thanking everybody who chose to support the student "during this time of profound need." As of Thursday, June 12, over $58,000 has been raised for Sara. PEOPLE has reached out to the GoFundMe organizer for additional comment. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
38 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Chaos erupts as ICE protesters prompt state of emergency in Spokane, Washington
Spokane, Washington has now been declared a state of emergency after protesters failed to cooperate with Mayor Lisa Brown's curfew that began at 9:30 p.m. Wednesday until 5 a.m. Brown issued the curfew amid ICE protests downtown from Boone Ave to Spokane Falls Blvd and Howard St to Division St, as well as Riverfront Park. The protests began after former Spokane City Councilman Ben Stuckart issued a call to action asking for support for the detainment of a Venezuelan man seeking asylum. "ACTION ALERT: Three weeks ago I became the legal guardian to a young man from Venezuela seeking asylum. He has turned in all paperwork and has a future court hearing. I went with him to ICE check in today. They detained him and are shipping him to Tacoma," his post read. "I am asking that if you care at all about these illegal detainers you meet me at 411 West Cataldo by 2pm. I am going to sit in front of the bus. Feel free to join me…….The Latino community needs the rest of our community now. Not tonight, not Saturday but right now!!!!" Mayor Bass Blames Trump's Ice Raids For Starting Riots While Claiming 'Things In La Are Calm' Stuckart became the legal guardian of the 21-year-old Venezuelan man 3 weeks ago. Read On The Fox News App Spokane Police Department and the county sheriff's office are currently on the scene and are also calling the gathering unlawful. Spokane County Commissioner Josh Kerns issued a statement referencing the two active riots in the City of Spokane. "The unrest we have seen in the City of Spokane is unacceptable," said Commissioner Kerns. "I stand with the dedicated men and women of law enforcement who put themselves in harm's way to protect lives, businesses, and public safety." He continued, "Thank you to our police officers, deputies, and their families tonight. We support you and have your back". Commissioner Kerns also stated, "I strongly support every American's First Amendment right to speak freely and protest peacefully—but that right does not include violence, obstruction of law enforcement, destruction of property, or putting others at risk. We must uphold both our freedoms and our responsibility to exercise them lawfully." Dozens Of Anti-ice Rioters Arrested In La As Trump Sends In National Guard To Quell Violence Brown also released a statement on the gathering. "I am aware of the situation unfolding outside of the Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Spokane. The City of Spokane respects and upholds everyone's First Amendment rights and right to be on public property. "The City of Spokane continues to uphold the Keep Washington Working Act. The Spokane Police Department will address violations of Spokane Municipal Code. "I encourage everyone to remain peaceful and safe, and my heart goes out to families being separated. Our unity is stronger than any attempt to divide us." Several protesters have been taken into custody on "failure to disperse" charge and SPD has deployed tear gas on the article source: Chaos erupts as ICE protesters prompt state of emergency in Spokane, Washington
