ROCHESTER, Minn. — A Minnesota woman caught on camera allegedly calling a Black child a racial slur has raised more than $600,000 through a crowdfunding campaign, sparking national outrage and renewed discussions around race, online fundraising ethics, and the power of viral media.
Shiloh Hendrix, a white woman from Rochester, went viral after a video surfaced showing her apparently directing the n-word at a 5-year-old Black child on a local playground. The video, recorded on April 28, shows Hendrix confronting the child—who is reportedly on the autism spectrum—while holding her own young child.
In the video, shared widely on social media platforms, Hendrix is heard shouting profanities and repeating the racial slur. The man behind the camera, later identified as Sharmake Omar, can be heard challenging her behavior. “Do you think that’s appropriate?” he asks, to which Hendrix responds, “If that’s what he’s going to act like.”
Omar told NBC News that he knows the boy and his family personally and described the incident as deeply hurtful.
Following the backlash, Hendrix launched a fundraising page titled “Help Me Protect My Family” on the Christian-based crowdfunding platform GiveSendGo. Initially seeking $50,000, Hendrix wrote that she is now facing threats and claims her personal details—including her address and phone number—were leaked online.
“I recently had a kid steal from my 18-month-old son’s diaper bag at a park. I called the kid out for what he was,” she wrote on the campaign page, defending her use of language. She added that the experience had left her family “under attack” and in need of support to “relocate” for their safety.
The campaign quickly surpassed its original goal and has now raised more than $624,000, with the goal later raised to $1 million, according to local outlet KIMT3 News.
In an update posted to the fundraising page, Hendrix wrote: “I’ve never felt so scared, yet reassured in my life,” thanking supporters for what she described as “overwhelming support.”
However, the donations have been marred by controversy. Many public messages posted with contributions included racist comments and sympathies, prompting GiveSendGo to disable the comment section. In a statement to The Washington Post, GiveSendGo CEO Jacob Wells clarified that the platform “does not endorse or condone the personal views or actions of individual campaign organizers or their supporters.”
The City of Rochester addressed the video in an official statement on May 1, calling it “deeply disturbing.” Officials reaffirmed the city’s commitment to creating public spaces that are “inclusive, welcoming, and safe for all residents.”
“The Rochester Police Department is actively looking into the matter,” the city added.
As of publication, the Rochester Police Department has not released additional information about potential legal consequences or charges related to the incident. PEOPLE Magazine reported it had reached out to RPD on May 4 but received no immediate response.
The incident has drawn sharp criticism online, with many users questioning the ethics of financially rewarding individuals whose behavior appears to incite racial hostility.
This story is developing. The United States Morning Post will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
✅ Fact Check Report
| Claim | Verdict | Supporting Evidence | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| A woman named Shiloh Hendrix appeared to use a racial slur toward a Black child in a viral video recorded at a park in Rochester, Minnesota. | ✅ True | The video, widely circulated online and confirmed by multiple news outlets, shows a woman identified as Hendrix using the n-word during an altercation involving a child. | NBC News, KIMT3 News |
| The child involved is a 5-year-old boy who is on the autism spectrum. | ✅ True | The individual who filmed the video, Sharmake Omar, confirmed in an interview that the child is autistic and known to his family. | NBC News |
| Hendrix created a fundraising campaign on GiveSendGo titled “Help Me Protect My Family.” | ✅ True | The campaign was publicly accessible on GiveSendGo and referenced in verified news reports. | GiveSendGo, Washington Post |
| The original fundraising goal was $50,000, later raised to $1 million. | ✅ True | KIMT3 News and GiveSendGo listings confirm the initial goal and subsequent increase. | KIMT3, GiveSendGo |
| As of May 4, the fundraiser had collected over $624,000. | ✅ True | Screenshots and reports from reputable outlets on May 4 confirm the total funds raised surpassed $624,000. | KIMT3 News, Washington Post |
| Donor comments on the page included racist sentiments, leading to the comment section being muted. | ✅ True | The Washington Post confirmed GiveSendGo disabled public comments due to offensive language and racism. | Washington Post |
| GiveSendGo CEO Jacob Wells said the company does not endorse the views of campaigners or donors. | ✅ True | This quote was published in direct response to media inquiries. | Washington Post |
| The City of Rochester released a statement condemning the incident and confirming police involvement. | ✅ True | The official Facebook page of the City of Rochester posted a statement acknowledging the video and confirming an active police review. | City of Rochester Facebook |
| Rochester Police Department did not respond to inquiries from PEOPLE as of May 4. | ✅ True | PEOPLE Magazine reported that they reached out to the RPD but did not receive a comment by publication time. | PEOPLE |
🔍 Summary
All claims made in the article are verified and supported by credible, independent sources, including NBC News, KIMT3, The Washington Post, and official statements from the City of Rochester. No significant discrepancies or falsehoods were found. The reporting accurately reflects the events, responses, and online activity surrounding the case of Shiloh Hendrix.
The situation remains under investigation by local authorities. Updates may adjust the context, but all current claims are grounded in verified fact.
