"Tampa Is Out of Control" — Black Man Says Chase Employees Called Police on Him While He Waited Outside Bank

A clip of a Black man being questioned by a Tampa officer while sitting in his Tesla outside a Chase Bank branch before opening, has gone viral and sparked reactions from social media users.

According to the 3-minute clip, on May 6, 2026, the Black man, who claimed he is originally from Atlanta, was waiting in his Tesla in the bank's parking lot when a Chase Bank employee contacted police about what they considered suspicious behavior.

"That's crazy. Tampa is out of control, man," the Black man stated when he asked the officer why he was being questioned.

The video begins with the Atlanta man being informed by a police officer that Chase Bank employees were "concerned" about him, as he "was just sitting here and not doing anything."

The man seemed confused as he explained to the officer that he was waiting for the bank to open at 9 a.m., saying, "I can't believe they called you for real." He later pulled out some cash from his denim shorts, telling the cop that he had "too much stuff to do at the bank."

As he continued expressing confusion over the encounter, the officer claimed that some people also reported that he had alcohol in his car.

In response, the man showed the officer his Red Bull can, as the officer suspected that the can may have been mistaken for an alcoholic beverage.

"You gotta understand it’s a bank and people hanging out at the bank parking lot makes them nervous. People rob people coming in and out of banks," the officer added before the man replied, "Their employees can’t even afford what I have."

"What do you have that’s so expensive? What do you do for a living? I’m just curious," the officer asked the Atlanta man, who replied he is "an Air BnB-ionnaire."

When the man further asked, "Why would I look like I’m doing something wrong?" the cop affirmed, "You’re the only one sitting in the parking lot."

The man said he was heading to the bank to withdraw a "lot of money." He later pointed across the parking lot, claiming another man was sitting there in a similar manner, though the officer said he did not see anyone.

"I can’t believe it. When I see the employees — these are all their cars, and they’re kind of looking, and, ‘What is a Black guy sitting here doing in front of the bank?’ — you think I’m casing the bank out?" the man continued.

The officer replied, "It has nothing to do with race."

Chase Bank issued an apology following the incident in a statement to the Atlanta Black Star.

"We are aware of the interaction at one of our Tampa-area branches this morning as employees were arriving to work. We are committed to treating all of our customers fairly and with respect and are reviewing what occurred to ensure our actions aligned with that commitment. We sincerely apologize to our customer," the bank said.

The footage prompted debate on social media, has sparked mixed reactions from social media users, with some supporting the Black man, while others expressing suspicion about why he was sitting in the bank's parking lot.

"No “successful” business man ever steps a foot in a branch, let alone, sit in the parking lot at 9am. I’m not saying he’s a bad guy. I’m saying he ain’t no successful businessman. He’s financially illiterate if anything. But yes, at the end of the day race was a factor here," one user wrote.

"He should withdraw every. last. dime. & find another bank that won't be so "concerned" about his presence🤬" another user wrote.

"I would have closed my account that day and taken my money elsewhere," another user stated.

A fourth user questioned the police's inability to spot another man in the parking lot, similar to the Atlanta man, stating: "Funny how when he points out there’s another man who’s been sitting there just as long as him the cop says oh I can’t see him so the man inside the car can see him, but you standing your big self outside of the car cannot see the other vehicle with a person inside 🤦🏾‍♀️"