A teenager has been suspended from his job at a cookie store in America after a customer branded him racist, the Daily Mail reports.
18-year-old Zachary Randolph was accused of racism after he bought a brownie for a police officer out of his own wages, and didn't do the same for the next customers.
The family behind overheard Randolph telling the officer he'd pay for his treat, but became upset upon the realisation he wouldn't do the same for them. They allegedly threatened to beat him up because they believed he wouldn't buy them any products because of their race.
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The teen, from Katy, Texas, was reportedly put on temporary leave from his job at Great American Cookies. His mother, Tami Kurtz Randolph, posted on Facebook about the incident, which brought it national attention.
Credit: Facebook
"Since when does buying a police officer a cookie give anyone else a reason to attack someone," she wrote. "And when did a Corporation want to FIRE someone for being KIND, taking what a customer said or did, regardless of how hateful they are.
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"The family walked up and said 'are you going to buy mine too?' My son replied with 'I'm sorry I bought his because he is wearing a badge.'
"Then this customer started verbally attacking him, calling him a racist and threatened to beat him up. His wife threatened to go back there and slap him.
"The middle aged man sat down his little daughter and tried to come behind the counter to attack him. Thankfully his coworker defused the situation. The man then said 'I will get you fired'."
The post has been shared over 6,000 times and prompted news sites to get in touch with the Randolph family.
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The teenager got the chance to explain he was simply showing appreciation to the officer for his work and service to his community when he spoke to Fox 26.
"He's just a really nice guy and on top of that he has a badge. That's enough for me to buy him something. That's the least I can do," he said. "A lot of people I know my age don't support police officers. I don't think it's fair."
Due to the attention the accusations have gotten Great American Cookies at Katy Mills Mall has reversed its decision, apologising to Zach.
In a statement released to the Houston Chronicle, owner and operator of the store Biju George said: "On behalf of Great American Cookies Katy Mills, we owe the employee an apology.
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"It was never an issue that he purchased a brownie for a police officer, but rather the events that unfolded with another customer in line at the time.
"However, after further review, we realize that the employee was in fact in the right and we continue to reach out to him and his mom to issue an apology.
"The corrective action and suspension was reversed immediately and we hope to connect with him today."
It may not be the case however, as the teen's mum appears to think the company has "failed" on this occasion.
Featured Image Credit: Fox 26Topics: Racist