'I'm Not a Racist Person': Ohio Florist Caught on Video Hurling Racial Slurs at Woman Apologizes After Backlash

An Ohio florist has apologized after a video of him using racial slurs and verbal abuse toward Kimberly Moss, an Uber delivery driver, went viral. Antonio Moss, the driver's son, posted video of the altercation on TikTok, showing Valentine becoming agitated when Moss attempted to return a floral order.

"I am not a racist person, and that word is not a word I use. I'm not making excuses," the florist wrote on Facebook.

Footage of Valentine verbally abusing the Uber driver drew sharp criticism on social media, with the florist later issuing an apology for his behavior.

"I need to address the issue going around. Yes, there was a dispute at my shop today. I am truly sorry to anyone I had offended or hurt by the bad choice of words used. Kimberly, the Uber driver, I'm deeply sorry you were pulled into such misconduct on my behalf. I truly regret speaking to you in such a horrible manner," he wrote on Facebook.

Valentine continued, "There is a video of my bad choice in words, but this should not define me. I'm human, and I make mistakes. Today is a prime example. Again, to any of my friends, family or customers I have offended, l'm deeply sorry for my bad choice of words and hope to move past this horrible situation."

He also told ABC 6 that he is not racist, adding that he has "many friends of color."

"I have many friends of color. I’m not racist. What happened yesterday came across as being racist. And I deeply apologize. And I wish I could make it up to her. But I probably won’t be able to. And that’s something we’ll have to live with," Valentine told ABC 6.

The viral video of the altercation posted by Moss's son on TikTok featured Valentine telling Moss to "get out" and "go to h---," as she tried to return the flowers before the exchange turned racial and misogynistic.

"My mother was returning a floral order (requested by Uber) and this was the reaction she received from the belligerent store clerk. He then called the police & told them she had a gun," Moss's son captioned the video.

As Moss tried to explain her side, he threatened to call the police and told her to "take your a-- out of my store."

The Uber driver did not leave the store, which appeared to escalate Valentine's anger, prompting him to yell slurs and misogynistic insults at her.

"B----, I'm telling you, get out of my store!" he said, adding, "That’s why you deliver for Uber b----."

Following the incident, Moss's son told ABC 6 he was shocked by what had happened. He said, "It’s my mom, you know? My mom’s the sweetest woman I’ve ever met. Like Mother Teresa, I never heard anybody speak to my mother like that, so it was complete anger."

According to Fox28, a Columbus television station, the incident prompted Valentine to shut down his social media pages, disconnect his business phone and temporarily close his shop.