Bank Calls Police On Black Panther Director Ryan Coogler For Trying To Legally Withdraw $12,000

Bodycam footage has been released showing the moment Atlanta police arrested Black Panther director Ryan Coogler at a Bank of America.

A bank teller mistook him for a robber after the director passed a note requesting to withdraw a large sum of money from his account. 

According to a police report obtained by TMZ, Coogler went to the bank in January and slipped the teller a note that said: “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.”

While he was clearly not trying to draw attention to the massive withdrawal, the bank teller thought Coogler was ‘discreetly’ trying to stage a robbery, which triggered an alarm and a call to 9-11.

Atlanta Police Department

Coogler, who is currently on location shooting Black Panther’s highly anticipated sequel, was detained by Atlanta Police Department (APD) officers along with the two other people with him.

The director was brought outside the bank on West Paces Ferry Road, where officers verified his name and clarified that he was withdrawing money from his own account.

The APD have since said that this was ‘a mistake by Bank of America’ and ‘Mr Coogler was never in the wrong’.

As seen in the video, Coogler looked extremely confused as police arrested him.

Atlanta Police Department

Coincidentally, Coogler’s 2013 acclaimed film Fruitvale Station tells the story of 22-year old Oscar Grant III, who was detained by police following a physical altercation involving 20 people on a train.

In the film, which is based on a true event, rumours of a fight breaking out on a crowded Bay Area Rapid Transit Train cause police to show up and handcuff an unarmed Grant.

BART officer Johannes Mehserle then pins him down and fatally shoots him in the movie. 

Bank of America has since apologised for the incident, with a spokesperson telling Variety: “We deeply regret that this incident occurred. It never should have happened and we have apologized to Mr. Coogler.”

Coogler also told the outlet: “This situation should never have happened … However, Bank of America worked with me and addressed it to my satisfaction and we have moved on.”

Topics: Black Panther, Celebrity

Charisa Bossinakis

Charisa Bossinakis is an Associative Journalist at LADbible. Charisa has worked across various media platforms including, print, digital, radio and podcasting while maintaining the highest regard for quality work and integrity. She also covered everything from breaking news, to pop culture, entertainment and politics and is part of the editorial team for LADbible.

@CBossinakis