Black Woman Seeks Video Footage after White Woman Reportedly Points Gun at Her at Tempe Marketplace

The appalling story has gone viral on social media. Many people throughout the world have seen Roicia Banks’ Facebook video where she tearfully recounts her scary experience on June 19 at Tempe Marketplace just outside of the Barnes and Noble store.

If you haven’t seen the video, Banks, who is a Black Indigenous woman, was heading to her car in the parking lot at Tempe Marketplace, when she claims that an unidentified white woman tried to hit Banks with her car. Banks said in the video that the unidentified woman later pointed a gun directly at her.

According to Banks and Tempe Police, multiple witnesses intervened and the suspect fled the area in her vehicle.

“I would not be alive if it were not for the brave white allies who jumped in between myself and the pointed gun,” said Banks, a Phoenix native.

June 25 Update: No Video Surveillance in Tempe Marketplace Parking Lot

According to a statement released by Tempe Police on June 25, detectives and crime analysts have been conducting follow up and re-interviewing witnesses.

Detectives canvassed the area for surveillance footage and are currently reviewing video from the interior of the Barnes and Noble book store.

Furthermore, initial review by Barnes and Noble and Tempe detectives confirmed the surveillance video does not capture the exterior of the business. Detectives have worked closely with Tempe Marketplace personnel and learned there are no surveillance cameras in the parking lot.

Due to lack of surveillance video, the Tempe Police Department has been in contact with the victim who has agreed to assist with a composite sketch artist in hopes to identify and apprehend the suspect. These violent encounters are traumatic, and the Tempe Police Department is committed to bringing justice to the victim and citizens of Tempe.

While this remains and an ongoing investigation, anyone with any information regarding this incident is urged to contact the Tempe Police Department at (480) 350-8311.

Possible Boycott of Tempe Marketplace?

A group led by local activist Warren Stewart, Jr. has demanded that all video footage at Tempe Marketplace pointing to the parking lot area where Banks was located be released so Tempe Police can identify the woman who pointed her weapon at her.

Otherwise, Stewart will call for the community to boycott Tempe Marketplace.