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On that fateful afternoon, Jenkins was accosted by a nervous store clerk who, believing her to be a thief, demanded she prove her purchase. Having misplaced her receipt, Jenkins confidently asserted her innocence, but the situation escalated when Officer Tom Callahan responded to the clerk’s call. His authority came with a quick temper and condescension that quickly turned aggressive, built on the power dynamics of race and age.
As tensions rose, Jenkins was physically restrained, her dignity attacked, and cries for help fell on fearful ears. Shoppers around her began to record, many disturbed but hesitant to intervene, until the situation became more explosive and caught the eye of the towering Shaquille O'Neal.