A Columbus floral shop is at the center of widespread online backlash after a TikTok video showing a heated confrontation between the store owner and a delivery driver began circulating and quickly went viral.
The video, posted by Antonio Moss, shows his mother, Uber driver Kimberly Moss, attempting to complete a return order at the shop when the interaction escalates.
In the footage, the store owner, Raymond Valentine, can be heard verbally berating Moss, with the exchange intensifying over the course of the video.
The clip also appears to include the use of racial and misogynistic slurs directed at the driver.
@mnm412614 My mother was returning a floral order (requested by Uber) and this was the reaction she received from the belligerant store clerk. He then called the police & told them she had a gun. #ValentineFloral #racistoftheday #racismawareness ♬ original sound – mnm412614
According to the caption shared with the post, Kimberly Moss was at the store to return a floral order requested through Uber when the confrontation occurred. The post also alleges that the store owner contacted police during the incident and claimed Moss had a firearm, an accusation that is not shown in full context in the video.
The video has gained significant traction, surpassing 2 million views.
It has prompted an outpouring of support for Moss across social media. Many users have condemned the store owner’s behavior and called for accountability following the incident.
The business involved, Valentine Floral, is facing intense online backlash. Its Google listing has been flooded with negative reviews, dropping to a 1.3-star rating as commenters respond to the viral video.
Valentine spoke to ABC6 after the incident, offering the following explanation of his behavior.
“I have many friends of color. I’m not racist,” Valentine told ABC6. “What happened yesterday came across as being racist. And I deeply apologize. And I wish I could make it up to her. But I probably won’t be able to. And that’s something we’ll have to live with.”
Valentine claims he’s facing threats of violence after the video went viral. Antonio Moss told ABC6 that calls for violence go too far.
“That’s unnecessary, bombing his house,” he said. “I feel like he should just be exposed. Shut his business down. Share it, let the world see how much of a monster he is.”
