An investigation into a viral video of a black man beating a white man at a Macy’s store in Michigan revealed that the attack was unprovoked, according to a statement issued by Macy’s.
Police conducted the investigation and concluded that the attack on the victim, who is an employee at the store located in Flint, was unprovoked. During the attack, the employee was on an internal store call, which are all recorded as per company policy. Police determined through listening to the recordings and by video footage of the attack that the employee was not using racial slurs leading up to the attack, a theory that was widely circulating on social media as to what provoked the attack, according to the Post Millennial.
The suspects were identified as 18-year-old Damire Canell Palmer of Mount Morris, and 22-year-old Damarquay Jovan of Flint Township, reported Fox 66.
The video of the vicious attack was circulated widely on social media and shows a black man walking up to a white man and punching him repeatedly, even after the man falls to the ground. The victim is heard asking why this is happening and apologizing. The black man continues to beat the man and is heard using racial slurs. According to authorities, Palmer and Jovan fled the scene after the June 15 attack and are still at large.
“We are deeply saddened about the incident that took place on Monday at Macy’s Genesee Valley as the safety of Macy’s customers and colleagues is our top priority. Violence in the workplace of any kind is unacceptable. All the materials from the evening have been reviewed and it is clear that the attack was unprovoked. We are working closely with local authorities on this investigation and will defer any further comments about the case to them per policy,” Macy’s said in a statement.
Macy’s added that the store and the mall have since added more security guards.
Police said in a news release that they were dispatched to the scene after receiving an assault complaint and that store surveillance cameras confirmed the assault.
“Officers learned an employee for the store was assaulted by a young black male who fled the scene with a second individual after the assault,” the news release stated.
The authorities also found out that there were two men involved in the attack, one who was attacking the employee in the video, and one who was recording the attack with a cell phone.
Police said anyone with information should contact 810-600-3250 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-422-JAIL (5245).
