Queens Teen Suing Barneys for Discrimination

Trayon Christian, a 19-year-old engineering student from Queens saved his money in order to buy a $349 Ferragamo belt he wanted at Barneys. But according to the New York Daily News, things didn't go as he had planned. Christian was arrested after purchasing the belt at Barneys.

According to the suit, two undercover cops followed him out the store and asked him "how a young black man such as himself could afford to purchase such an expensive belt." They accused Christian of using a stolen credit card, and then cuffed him before detaining him for two hours. Once released, Christian returned the belt vowing never to shop at Barneys again.

Christian also retained a lawyer and is now suing both the NYPD and the department store for damages.

Racked NY reports that Barneys released an official statement speaking to the allegation that an employee called the undercover cops after Christian purchased the belt. They said:

Barneys New York typically does not comment on pending litigation. In this instance, we feel compelled to note that after carefully reviewing the incident of last April, it is clear that no employee of Barneys New York was involved in the pursuit of any action with the individual other than the sale. Barneys New York has zero tolerance for any form of discrimination and we stand by our long history in support of all human rights.

A spokesperson from the NYPD said that Christian wasn't detained for two hours and that the actual time he spent in the precinct was only around 40 minutes.