Ryan Coogler, the director of ‘Black Panther,’ was mistaken for a bank robber.
At an Atlanta branch of Bank of America, Ryan Coogler, the director of Marvel’s “Black Panther,” was mistaken for a bank robber and briefly handcuffed before local police officers recognized that he “was never in the wrong.”
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According to an Atlanta police spokesperson, two officers responded to a call about a bank robbery in progress and “encountered Ryan Coogler who matched the description of the suspect.” The officers then handcuffed Coogler and placed him in the back of a squad car before ascertaining that he was not the suspect.
A police report from the same day obtained by THR recounts how, on Jan. 7, 2022, Coogler and two companions pulled up outside the bank in a vehicle with its engine running and were briefly detained by cops called to the scene. That call was prompted by Coogler having innocently given a female bank teller a “withdrawn slip with a note written on the back of the withdrawn slip to be discreet when handing him the cash.”
According to the lawsuit, Coogler had a California State identification license and a Bank of America bank card when he visited the check cashing store. He requested more than $10,000, according to the complaint.
“The bank teller then received an alert notification from Mr. Coogler’s account and quickly advised her manager that suspect # 3 (Coogler) is attempting to rob the bank. 911 was alerted and responded,” the police report states. As police units arrived on the scene, they discovered a black Lexus SUV outside the bank with its engine running and two passengers seated inside, a woman and a man.
“It was determined later by Sgt. Fernandez that the incident is a mistake by Bank Of America and that Mr. Coogler was never in the wrong and was immediately taken out of handcuff and that suspects # 1 and # 2 were taken out from the rear of the patrol vehicle,” the report reads.
“Mr. Coogler, as well as suspect # 1 and # 2, was given an explanation of the incident as well as an apology for the mistake by the Bank Of America. Mr. Coogler requested the name as well as the badge number for all the officers on the scene,” the report adds.
Bank of America in a statement obtained by THR said: “We deeply regret that this incident occurred. It never should have happened and we have apologized to Mr. Coogler.”
Who is Ryan Coogler?
Born on May 23, 1986, in Oakland, California, Ryan Coogler is a director and screenwriter known for his work on Fruitvale Station and Creed. His debut feature film, Fruitvale Station, which he also wrote, won the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. For his work on Creed, Coogler was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Director.
In 2018, he directed and co-wrote Marvel’s Black Panther, which became the highest-grossing superhero film of all time. In recognition of his work on the film, Coogler was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Director.
In relevant news, Marvel’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is now casting in Atlanta.
