Black Panther director Ryan Coogler ended up in handcuffs after attempting to draw $12,000 USD ($15,360.84 CAD) from his own bank account and being mistaken for a robber.
The incident occurred at a Bank of America in Atlanta on January 7. The director was wearing sunglasses and a face mask, and, according to TMZ, he handed the teller a note that read: "I would like to withdraw $12,000 cash from my checking account. Please do the money count somewhere else. I'd like to be discreet."
He presented his California ID and his bank card, and was apparently trying to pay his family's medical assistant.
The teller received an alert notification from Coogler's account and told the bank manager that Coogler was trying to rob the bank. The cops then showed up, detained two people who were waiting for the 35-year-old director in an SUV outside, and then led Coogler out of the bank in handcuffs. Bodycam footage can be seen below.
A police report notes that the incident was due to a "mistake by Bank of America and that Mr. Coogler was never in the wrong." He was taken out of handcuffs as soon as police realized he wasn't a robber. He wasn't formally arrested. Coogler said that the teller "got scared when a Black dude handed her a note" [via The New York Times]. The teller is also Black.
The teller said she worried Coogler might have a gun and that, because she was pregnant, "I have to protect myself. I have to protect my child."
Coogler said in a statement, "This situation should never have happened. However, Bank of America worked with me and addressed it to my satisfaction and we have moved on."
Bank of America said in a statement, "We deeply regret that this incident occurred. It never should have happened, and we have apologized to Mr. Coogler."
The incident occurred at a Bank of America in Atlanta on January 7. The director was wearing sunglasses and a face mask, and, according to TMZ, he handed the teller a note that read: "I would like to withdraw $12,000 cash from my checking account. Please do the money count somewhere else. I'd like to be discreet."
He presented his California ID and his bank card, and was apparently trying to pay his family's medical assistant.
The teller received an alert notification from Coogler's account and told the bank manager that Coogler was trying to rob the bank. The cops then showed up, detained two people who were waiting for the 35-year-old director in an SUV outside, and then led Coogler out of the bank in handcuffs. Bodycam footage can be seen below.
A police report notes that the incident was due to a "mistake by Bank of America and that Mr. Coogler was never in the wrong." He was taken out of handcuffs as soon as police realized he wasn't a robber. He wasn't formally arrested. Coogler said that the teller "got scared when a Black dude handed her a note" [via The New York Times]. The teller is also Black.
The teller said she worried Coogler might have a gun and that, because she was pregnant, "I have to protect myself. I have to protect my child."
Coogler said in a statement, "This situation should never have happened. However, Bank of America worked with me and addressed it to my satisfaction and we have moved on."
Bank of America said in a statement, "We deeply regret that this incident occurred. It never should have happened, and we have apologized to Mr. Coogler."
