Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Amazon driver’s racist tirade caught on camera after he’s locked into apartment complex

Amazon is investigating the incident

Graig Graziosi
in Washington, D.C.
Tuesday 24 June 2025 18:32 BST
Comments
Related video: Driver goes rogue on the National Mall

An Amazon driver in Los Angeles had a racist meltdown after he was locked behind a parking lot gate during his deliveries.

The incident was captured on video. According to property manager Joel Estrada, an Amazon delivery worker followed another driver through a parking gate and into an apartment complex parking lot to drop off a delivery.

On his way out, the gate refused to unlock, leaving him locked inside the parking lot, FOX LA reports.

According to Estrada and surveillance video from the incident, the driver appears to direct his frustration towards a Black tenant who he mistakenly assumed was the property manager.

In the video, the man can be heard hurling racist insults and threats at the Black resident, at one point warning them “I swear to God, you better watch your f****** back.”

An Amazon delivery driver in Los Angeles who allegedly directed a racist rant at a Black resident after his vehicle was locked inside a parking lot by a security gate said to ‘watch your f****** back’
An Amazon delivery driver in Los Angeles who allegedly directed a racist rant at a Black resident after his vehicle was locked inside a parking lot by a security gate said to ‘watch your f****** back’ (FOX LA)

A security camera captured his tirade as he stormed around the locked gate.

“You locking people in the gate. I ought to sue you. That's kidnapping,” the driver said. "”ou can not keep people hostage. I’m find you.”

After learning about the incident, Estrada said he sent video of the event to Amazon and requested a response from the company about the driver. He says he never heard back.

“Amazon simply does not have an avenue where things like this can be reported in good faith by community residents. They just don't have an avenue to do so,” Estrada told FOX LA. “Anytime their drivers are sending racist threats of violence against tenants, it’s unacceptable. And the fact they have ignored meeting requests, they need to come forward and at least meet with us to hear our concerns.”

Amazon provided the following statement in response to a media request concerning the video: “The behavior exhibited in this video is unacceptable. Our team is investigating what occurred and will take appropriate action.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in