A viral video on social media that resulted in a homeless DC man accruing $400k on GoFundMe is now ruined and, at best, tainted. The man in the video is accused of violently assaulting another homeless woman four years ago. The elderly man approached a woman sleeping in front of a church and punched her over and over. The senseless attack was captured on video. However, none of this information was known when the man went viral for a heartwarming story on social media.
A young intern and college student from California was approached by the man who asked for hot tea. She was recording for social media when the man came up to her. She wound up giving him some hot tea and then taking him to get medication at CVS. Eventually, she wound up gifting him a hotel room for an unspecified amount of time. All of this was captured on social media and went viral. The popularity of the young woman’s videos generated $400,000 in donations to the man on GoFundMe. The fundraising company has learned of the assault allegations against the man. They said they would issue refunds upon request, but they have not shut the campaign down, so there won’t be automatic refunds.
SOURCES:
DC fashion intern pays for homeless man’s medication and hotel in viral TikTok video
Homeless man featured in heartwarming TikTok video that sparked $400K in donations allegedly has violent past, woman claims
‘I’m speechless’: Viral TikTok raises $400K for DC homeless man with alleged violent past
GoFundMe holding funds after man in viral TikTok accused of assault
DC TikToker raises $350K+ on GoFundMe to help homeless man | wusa9.com
GoFundMe holding funds after man in viral TikTok accused of assault – YouTube
