Caught on Camera Screaming at a Somali Family, a Local Couple Insists They Are Victims of a Cyberbullying Campaign
A deep-rooted issue.
A Minnesota couple is now at the center of a heated online debate after a viral video captured them screaming at a Somali family during what appears to be a tense neighborhood confrontation. According to The Daily Dot, Brian and Jen Wagner, identified by X user @KimKatieUSA, were recorded arguing with the family while they were reportedly touring homes in Shakopee.
The clip shows Wagner telling the family, “Nobody wants you here, not a single person here wants you. I can smell you from here, where’d you get your money for the house? All you do is steal.” One of the Somali women responded, “Worry about your own money. You’re sad as f**k. Oh my God, get a petition or something. Why are you guys so worried? Why are you so oppressed? Nobody bothered you guys. You guys decide to be in people’s business.”
The video, originally posted on TikTok, has since sparked outrage, with many calling the remarks racist and unacceptable. The Somali family involved has filed a police report, while the Wagners have hired an attorney to push back against what they call a “cyberbullying campaign.” The sisters at the heart of the confrontation, Hamdi and Sumaya, spoke out about the incident, saying the encounter began without warning as they were leaving a home tour.
A normal house hunting exercise turned into a horrible experience
“We don’t want you guys here, that was our first interaction,” Hamdi recalled. “It wasn’t even a ‘hi’ or ‘what are you guys doing here.’” According to KARE 11, the sisters described the accusations of theft as deeply offensive, especially since they say they’ve worked hard to build their lives in the U.S.
“We’ve been in this country, we were born and raised here, our parents have been here for a very long time,” Sumaya said. “We don’t own any businesses; we are very hardworking individuals.”
The Wagners’ attorney, however, painted a very different picture of the incident. In a statement, the law firm claimed the video was “incomplete” and being “weaponized to create a false narrative” portraying the couple as racist. The statement insisted the Wagners “do not conduct themselves in a racist manner personally or professionally” and called them “the epitome of proud Americans who believe in the dignity and equal worth of every human being.”
The attorney also alleged that the sisters had provoked the couple with racial slurs, though the sisters vehemently denied those claims. “To say they were provoked is kind of crazy,” Hamdi said. “You guys came up to us, we were driving, you guys walked up to the car.”
Local lawmaker Brad Tabke, who represents Shakopee, weighed in on the controversy, calling the incident “extremely disappointing” and saying it “does not represent the Shakopee community.” Tabke also noted that the area is home to several Somali families, describing the diversity as “a very nice thing.”
In a separate statement, he criticized the couple’s behavior, saying, “I don’t get why this guy would go out of his way to harass people for simply being Somali. This is the product of irresponsible leaders dehumanizing an entire group of people for the way they look or talk.”
The Wagners’ attorney didn’t stop at defending their clients
They also threatened legal action against those involved in what they called “undeserved bullying, harassment, and other tortious acts.” The statement warned that the couple would “pursue all legal actions” and had already contacted law enforcement, including the Department of Justice, to explore potential criminal charges. It’s a bold move, especially since the sisters have also filed a police report over the incident.
The video only shows a snippet of the confrontation, and both sides are now accusing the other of misrepresenting the full story. The Wagners’ attorney claims the clip lacks “critical context,” while the sisters say the couple approached them unprovoked. What’s clear is that the incident has touched a nerve, with many online viewers siding with the Somali family. Comments on the viral video range from calls for accountability to outright disgust at the couple’s behavior.
Sumaya’s words in particular resonated with many: “To take an entire group and say the whole Somali population commits fraud is heartbreaking.” It’s a sentiment that highlights just how damaging these kinds of accusations can be, especially when they’re hurled in a public confrontation.
The situation is a stark reminder of how quickly things can spiral online
A single video, taken out of context or not, can turn into a national conversation about race, belonging, and community. For the Somali families already living in Shakopee, incidents like this can feel like a step backward. Tabke’s comments about the area’s diversity being a positive thing were meant to reassure, but the viral video has already cast a shadow over that message.
As for the Wagners, their legal threats suggest they’re not going to let this blow over quietly. Whether that strategy will work in their favor remains to be seen. The internet has a long memory, and once something goes viral, it’s nearly impossible to control the narrative. For now, the sisters are focused on moving forward, while the couple is stuck defending themselves against a wave of criticism they say is unfair.
One thing is certain: this story isn’t over yet. With police reports filed on both sides and the threat of legal action looming, the fallout from this confrontation could drag on for some time. And as more details emerge, the debate over who’s really at fault is only going to get louder. For the Somali community in Shakopee, the hope is that this incident doesn’t define their experience in the neighborhood.
(Featured image: K on Pexels)
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