15-year-old selling roses pinned by police after $5 water damage incident [VIDEO]

Viral Circle K Video Sparks Outrage Over Racial Profiling, Police Force in North Charleston

Yesterday (July 15, 2025), a disturbing scene unfolded at a Circle K gas station located at 8700 Rivers Avenue in North Charleston, South Carolina. In the city, there is a 15-year-old Black teenager, known locally for selling Palmetto roses. That’s a traditional Lowcountry craft. But he was tackled and restrained by police officers after accidentally puncturing a $5 pack of bottled water. The incident was partially captured in a viral video. As a result, it has reignited intense public scrutiny toward racial profiling, excessive force, and long-standing systemic issues within the North Charleston Police Department (NCPD).

Now, the situation is trending on social media.

What Happened at Circle K?

According to police reports and eyewitness accounts, the teenager was outside the Circle K offering handwoven roses when he briefly entered the store. Allegedly, while leaning on a stack of bottled water near the entrance, he punctured one of the cases with the roses he carried. The store manager claimed vandalism and called police.

Police arrived around 1:15 p.m. Within minutes, what started as a minor retail complaint escalated dramatically. A video shared on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram shows the teen pinned face-down near the chip aisle as multiple officers struggle to restrain him. One officer was later identified as Cpl. Casey Ray Pace. He forcefully held the teen to the floor. Meanwhile, the teen shouted, “I’m not doing nothing wrong,” and, “I am scared for my life.”

Despite the pleas, the officer did not let go of the teenager. As a result, the people who watched the video are outraged. Now, the North Charleston Police Department has stepped in.

From Minor Infraction to Major Response

Despite the store manager ultimately deciding not to press charges, officers on scene responded with full protocol. Cpl. Pace, the first responder, claimed the teen refused to comply, used profanity, and pulled away when attempts were made to detain him. Backup was called. At least two additional officers arrived to assist, along with a K-9 unit, though the dog was not deployed.

The teen was handcuffed and, after allegedly kicking at the patrol car’s windows, fitted with leg restraints. A mental health counselor on scene helped de-escalate tensions, and with permission from his mother, the teen was released without charges. The entire encounter took place over roughly 45 minutes but left a deep impression on witnesses and those watching online.

Viral Video and Community Reactions

The incident’s footage, recorded by a bystander, quickly spread online. In one viral post by @kevinblue345, the caption read: “All this for accidentally poking a hole in a pack of water…” The video racked up over 57,000 views and more than 750 combined engagements across X and Instagram.

Public reactions were swift and emotional:

• “This is racial profiling. Full stop.”
• “Y’all treat Black kids like criminals for trying to make a few bucks. He was selling roses.”
• “I hope his family sues. That cop was dead wrong.”

Local members of the North Charleston community amplified the story. Therefore, demanding accountability from the North Charleston Police Department. As a result, they ensured this video trended on social media. In addition, they got a response from the NCPD.

Police Response and Officer Suspension

Facing mounting pressure, NCPD issued a public statement the following morning, July 16. The department acknowledged the incident and confirmed that Cpl. Casey Ray Pace had been placed on administrative leave pending a full internal investigation.

“The North Charleston Police Department takes this matter very seriously,” the statement read. “We are committed to transparency, accountability, and maintaining the public’s trust. We thank the community for its patience as we investigate.”

The department did not respond to requests for further comment.

A Familiar Pattern: Policing, Youth, and Race in North Charleston

The incident is not isolated. North Charleston has a documented history of racial disparities in law enforcement. The 2015 fatal shooting of Walter Scott, an unarmed Black man, by officer Michael Slager put national attention on NCPD. Subsequent audits, including one by the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, uncovered glaring racial discrepancies in use-of-force, traffic stops, and arrest rates.

A 2021 racial bias audit found that Black residents were stopped nearly three times more often than white residents in North Charleston. Although efforts to reform the department have been announced repeatedly, the gap between policy and practice appears unresolved.

“Shopping While Black” and Systemic Retail Racism

The Circle K incident also echoes a broader societal pattern often described as “Shopping While Black.”

A 2017 report from the Journal of Consumer Culture found that Black shoppers frequently alter their behavior in retail settings to avoid being perceived as suspicious. These adaptations include dressing more conservatively, limiting their time in stores, or avoiding browsing altogether. Retail settings often serve as flashpoints for racial tension, as employees and security disproportionately scrutinize Black patrons, especially youth.

In this case, the store manager’s decision to involve police over a $5 product underscores the fragile nature of how minor infractions by Black individuals are criminalized at disproportionate rates.

Where It Stands Now

With Cpl. Pace under internal review, the incident remains under investigation. There is no word yet from Circle K corporate leadership or the store’s local management team. The juvenile’s identity remains protected, and no formal legal action has been filed at this time.

However, community advocates have signaled interest in supporting the family should they pursue civil litigation. Additionally, many people on social media have floated the idea of taking some form of action.

Final Thoughts: More Than a Viral Moment

This story is not just another headline in the endless cycle of police violence and racial profiling. It is a moment that exposes the everyday dangers Black youth face—even when they are simply trying to sell handmade crafts.

A $5 pack of water. A traditional Southern craft. A minor. An arrest.

If these elements can converge into a police takedown in broad daylight, then the systemic issues are not only real—they’re urgent.

As the investigation unfolds, the hope remains that this time, the outrage turns into action, policy, and meaningful change.