The Philadelphia Police Department announced on Twitter on Tuesday that they are actively investigating an incident where a white bar owner held a black man at gunpoint.
The unknown Black cyclist passed by a restaurant with outdoor seating, and reminded people to practice social distancing.
According to witness accounts, the white man who was later on identified as bar owner Jemil Atlig, angrily pulled out his gun and pointed it at the cyclist.
A woman jumped in between the two men and yelled, “Put the gun away! He’s doing nothing!”
The cyclist moved away as the woman and other patrons continue to shout at Atlig.
A witness who goes by @_SJPeace_ shared a video on Twitter with the caption that reads:
“Yesterday on 2nd ST in Old City Philly Brother was on his bike just reminding people at the bars to practice social distancing when this white man got mad & held him at GUNPOINT! Victim left soon after this. Can anyone identify him? HE DESERVES JUSTICE!”
The witness continued his statement, praising the woman who stood up and acted as a human shield for the cyclist, and said, “She saved his life. And her mother who recorded this. Her name is Liz. In a world of Karens, BE A LIZ THIS IS HOW YOU USE YOUR PRIVILEGE!”
The woman, who was later identified as Liz Krieger, was with her friends at Nick’s Roast Beef when the incident happened.
Krieger said that the cyclist, out of fear for his life, froze before grabbing his bike lock in self-defense.
Robert Gamburg, Atlig’s lawyer, confirmed that it was indeed his client who pulled the gun on the cyclist, and claimed that the latter was being “confrontational” to the guests at the lounge and acted in a “threatening behavior.”
“Mr. Atlig is licensed to carry a firearm. He has extensive firearm training. He’s a business owner and he was being threatened,” Gamburg said.
The police arrived shortly afterward but was unable to take a report since the victim had already left.