‘Black Panther’ Director Ryan Coogler Mistaken For A Bank Robber, Body Cam Footage Released
Celebrated Black Panther director Ryan Coogler was mistaken for a bank robber at a Bank of America and detained by police in Atlanta. Now, body cam footage has been released and shows Coogler being detained by Atlanta police.
According to TMZ, the incident happened back in January of this year when the 35-year-old went into the bank to make a transaction. Coogler, who was wearing a hat, sunglasses and a COVID face mask, headed to the counter and handed the bank teller a withdrawal slip that handed a note written on the back.
“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,” it reportedly read.
However, the teller misinterpreted the interaction and believed it to be an attempted robbery when the requested amount from Coogler triggered an alarm on the banking system. She then informed her boss and they both agreed to call police, TMZ notes.
When authorities arrived on the scene they reportedly handcuffed the director and detained two people who were waiting for him in an SUV outside the bank.
“This situation should never have happened,” Coogler said, confirming the incident with Variety. “However, Bank of America worked with me and addressed it to my satisfaction and we have moved on.”
A Bank of America spokesperson also responded to the incident telling Variety:
“We deeply regret that this incident occurred. It never should have happened and we have apologized to Mr. Coogler.”
Ryan Coogler has been filming the Black Panther sequel, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in Atlanta. The Marvel movie is slated to release in November.
