A shocking incident inside a CVS pharmacy has gone viral after a store manager called the police on a Black woman simply for trying to use a coupon, igniting public outrage and reigniting debates about racial profiling in retail environments.
The confrontation unfolded when Camilla Hudson, a loyal CVS customer, attempted to use a manufacturer’s coupon for a discounted product. What should have been a routine transaction quickly escalated into a confrontation that has now become a national talking point.
According to Hudson, she presented a valid coupon at the checkout counter, but the store manager accused her of trying to use a “fraudulent coupon” and refused to honor it. When she questioned why, the situation turned tense.
“He looked at me like I was trying to scam him,” Hudson said in an interview. “I told him, ‘Sir, this is a legitimate coupon. You can scan it and see for yourself.’”
Instead of verifying the coupon through CVS’s system, the manager — later identified by his badge as Morrell — picked up the phone and called the police.
Video recorded by Hudson shows him visibly shaking as he speaks to dispatch, reporting that he felt “threatened” by a “customer using a suspicious coupon.”
Hudson can be heard responding calmly, saying,
“You’re calling the police on me because I’m trying to use a coupon?”
The incident, which took place in Chicago, spread across social media within hours after Hudson uploaded the footage to Facebook. Millions of viewers weighed in, labeling the situation as “CouponGate” and calling it another example of unnecessary police involvement in minor, non-criminal disputes.
“Imagine weaponizing 911 over a discount,” one commenter wrote.
“This is what happens when bias meets customer service,” another added.
CVS released an official statement apologizing for the encounter, confirming that the manager’s actions were under review and that corporate policy does not support calling law enforcement over coupon disputes. The company emphasized its commitment to diversity, inclusion, and fair treatment of all customers.
Civil rights activists quickly weighed in, saying the incident reflects a deeper societal issue — one where people of color are often viewed with suspicion in everyday situations.
“This is about more than a coupon,” said attorney and activist Lisa Thornton. “It’s about the assumption of guilt and the misuse of authority.”
Local authorities later confirmed that no charges were filed, and the responding officers defused the situation upon arrival. However, the emotional toll lingered. Hudson said she felt humiliated and shaken by the ordeal.
“I shop there all the time,” she said. “I never thought something like this could happen to me — over a $3 coupon.”
Since the video surfaced, thousands have called for the manager’s dismissal and for CVS to implement better training on racial bias and customer conflict resolution. Many have also praised Hudson for handling the incident with calm and composure under pressure.
The viral story has become yet another cautionary tale about how small misunderstandings — when fueled by prejudice or fear — can spiral into public controversies.
As one viral tweet summed it up:
“It’s not just a coupon. It’s a mirror showing the bias we still refuse to see.”
Leave a Reply