A White woman in one of Ohio's affluent neighborhoods has now apologized after she previously accused a Black real estate developer of trespassing in his own home.
Michelle Bishop, the woman, was jogging with her two young children when she allegedly felt threatened as a vehicle slowly approached them. She ran to the nearest property, which happened to be the house of developer Mike Jenkins, and rang the doorbell. Jenkins then came up to the property and identified himself as the homeowner.
According to footage captured by the home security camera that went viral on Twitter, Bishop was heard saying, "I don't believe that."
She and her children later ran away from the porch and began screaming for help.
Issuing an Apology
After the video was shared online, Bishop became the subject of heavy criticism. Many accused Bishop of racial profiling---an allegation she denied in a statement. She noted that she was only concerned about the safety of her children when the developer's car slowed down near the driveway at the time and said she did not see Jenkins' race as it was dark outside at the time of the incident.
"I never thought it was a black man I thought it was a white man in that truck," she said in a video statement.
Bishop also said she has reached out to Jenkins and his family to apologize for what happened.
Similar Incidents
The incident involving Bishop and Jenkins is not the only incident of alleged racial profiling in communities in the United States.
In June last year, a Black man named Tuck was accused of trespassing while he was resting by the pool complex of his apartment building. Tuck's neighbor later called authorities, who arrived and arrested him on suspicion of trespassing even after he explained that he lived there. Tuck was only freed from prison after police searched his home and confirmed his residency.
In 2023, a white woman called the police on a Black man named Dayson Barnes for standing outside his own house. He had recently moved into the neighborhood with his partner. The neighbor called 911 and reported Barnes for trespassing.
