According to Bloomberg , LSEG fired Stephen Carega , who was identified as one of the men following the teen as he walked around his neighborhood.
“The individual involved was initially suspended while we investigated the matter,” an LSEG spokesperson said in a statement. “The investigation has now concluded, and the individual’s employment has been terminated.”
The teenager's mother, Whitney Portela , initially shared footage on social media of her son being followed down a street in a neighborhood by at least three men. In a Facebook post, Portela said at least one of the men had followed her son in a vehicle for several minutes.
Portela accused the men of racial profiling. Video of the incident has amassed millions of views across social media platforms.
"The morning aftermath of Hurricane Milton, my son wanted to walk the neighborhood to talk to his girlfriend on his phone because we didn't have power so his service was bad in the house. This is what he had to deal with. Even after telling these men he lives here, they were not satisfied with his answer and continued to harass him," Portela previously wrote on her Facebook .
TikTok, I really need some help, what you see here is my child being racially profiled, and followed by four grown men all because he was walking around OUR neighborhood… I guess we look like we don’t belong in a upscale neighborhood but Here is a little back story: The morning aftermath of hurricane Milton my son wanted to walk the neighborhood to talk to his girlfriend on his phone, because we didnt have power so his service was bad in the house. THIS is what he had to deal with. Even after telling these men he lives here they we’re not satisfied with his answer and continue to harass him.. this was not a 1 minute altercation, my son was followed for over 10 minutes dealing with this. I am so happy he recorded every moment, and thankful my child is still here. But I need to know how is it OK. I do not want to live in a community that does not welcome me and my children because the color of our skin. #blacktiktok #blacktiktokcommunity #blm #blacklivesmatter #blacktiktok #helpme #isthisok
The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office said last week it had launched an investigation into a complaint filed by the mother.
"The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office is aware of a video circulating on various social media platforms of an incident that occurred in the Skye Ranch neighborhood on Thursday, Oct. 10. Detectives have been assigned and are actively locating and interviewing witnesses in what appears to be an altercation involving neighbors and a male subject who was recording himself as he was walking. The Sheriff’s Office takes these matters seriously and will fully investigate any allegations of criminal activity," the SCSO said in a statement.
The LSEG said in a statement amid Carega's termination: “We expect the conduct of our employees to meet a high standard. LSEG operates a zero-tolerance policy against any form of racism, discrimination, prejudice, or harassment.”
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