What was supposed to be a regular visit to the bank for a black doctor quickly turned into a catastrophe when a bank teller called the police on him.
What We Know:
- Doctor Anthony Onyegbula visited his local United Community Bank in Henry County, Georgia hoping to open a new account. His wife accompanied him. Onyegbula had intended to open a joint bank account with her, but within a few minutes police officers unexpectedly confronted him.
- Onyegbula suspects that this was a case of racial profiling. “Until it happens to you, you never know what it feels like,” Onyegbula told WSB-TV. They left the doctor feeling completely humiliated that they presumed him to be a suspicious criminal with intent to rob the bank. There was zero evidence to support this assumption the bank teller made against him when calling 911.
- WSB-TV shared the full 911 call transcripts which included the bank employee telling the 911 operator “I feel like he’s up to no good.” Off the simple basis that Onyegbula was walking around on his telephone and there were no cars in the bank’s parking lot. Ultimately, Onyegbula and his wife went to another nearby bank when they noticed that someone called the police on them. The police had followed them to the second bank location where they were questioned.
- Reports show that there were no charges filed against Onyegbula however that doesn’t make the situation justified.
The bank employee should be held accountable for her actions because this situation could have ended differently for Onyegbula. We believe proper training is necessary to prevent future situations like this for innocent people. Ironically enough, the business name is “United Community” yet they don’t treat people like they’re united when they’re black.
