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'Black Panther' director Ryan Coogler mistaken for bank robber and handcuffed: 'This should never have happened'
Ryan Coogler has spoken out after revealing that he was handcuffed by police after being mistaken for a bank robber.
The famed director, who has helmed blockbusters such as Black Panther and Creed, was mistaken for a bank robber as he attempted to withdraw $12,000 from his own bank account in Atlanta.
The incident occurred back in January.
As reported by BBC News, the police report details how one of the bank's tellers informed her boss that she suspected an attempted robbery. The police report adds how Coogler was wearing a face mask, sunglasses, and hat at the time of the misunderstanding, and handed the employee a withdrawal slip declaring his intention to withdraw his $12,000.
The report adds that Coogler did show the teller his ID.
As well as the withdrawal slip, Coogler included a note that read: "I would like to withdraw $12,000 cash from my checking account. Please do the money count somewhere else. I’d like to be discreet."
The New York Times has since reported that Coogler was attempting to pay for a medical assistant who had been working for his family. The director added that he was concerned for his safety due to the amount of money he was looking to withdraw.
The publication adds that the tell - who is also Black - was pregnant and concerned about her own safety.
Additionally, the transaction reportedly triggered an automatic notification, due to the fact the request was over $10,000.
When the concerned teller informed her boss, the police were called.
Reports state that four Atlanta police officers arrived at the scene and after speaking to the bank's staff, Coogler was handcuffed. Officers also detained two of the director's colleagues, who were waiting for him outside. They were placed in the back of a police vehicle.
Once Coogler’s identity had been identified and matched to his account, Coogler was released.
Now, Coogler has revealed more about the incident in an interview with TMZ, telling the outlet that the "situation should never have happened".
The 35-year-old said that Bank of America has since been working with the director and has "addressed it to [his] satisfaction". He added that both sides have "moved on".
A spokesperson for Bank of America has also provided a comment on the story, telling Variety: "We deeply regret that this incident occurred. It never should have happened and we have apologized to Mr. Coogler."