Macy's Viral Video: Rapper Who Filmed Attack Heard White Man Use N-Word

The Michigan rapper who filmed a viral video of a white man being beaten inside a Macy’s department store spoke out for the first time Saturday. While speaking to the New York Post, FT Quay said that he clearly heard the man calling him and his brother the N-word.

The rapper said his brother acted on instinct and that his violent reaction “was spur of the moment.”

“I just want people to know the real story of really what happened and what’s in the description of me and my brother just walking into Macy’s just minding our own business,” the 22-year-old rapper said.

“And, yes, we made a petty joke and asked the guy was the shirt too little when he could’ve asked me. He was just being funny,” Quay told the New York Post. “And just the fact of the remark that he said that we all heard. And just, what else were we supposed to do? In this age and time, he didn’t know what else to do. That was just his instinct.”

The video, filmed Monday at the Macy’s at the Genessee Valley Center mall in Flint Township, shows Quay’s brother, who is black, punching a white store employee and knocking him to the ground.

Macy's issued a statement on Friday claiming the attack was "unprovoked." The white man attacked in the incident was identified as a store employee.

Flint police launched an investigation after the video was posted on social media and said they are looking for Quay and his brother.

Macy's issued the following statement about the incident:

"We are deeply saddened about the incident that took place on Monday at Macy’s Genesee Valley as the safety of Macy’s customers and colleagues is our top priority. Violence in the workplace of any kind is unacceptable. All the materials from the evening have been reviewed and it is clear that the attack was unprovoked. We are working closely with local authorities on this investigation, and will defer any further comments about the case to them per policy. Since this event, Macy’s and mall management have added additional security to ensure our customers and colleagues can safely enjoy their shopping experience."

However, Quay maintained both he and his brother heard the racial slur before the video started filming. The encounter started when his brother “got the shirt, just picked it up. He didn’t have it on physically. He just put it over his body. He asked him, ‘Does this shirt look too little?’ And he politely said, ‘Yes,’ and continued back on the phone with the remark, ‘No one, just some n----r.'”

“At the moment, it was surprising,” he said. “I was just like, whatever. Let me get this down (on video). Let me just let people see.”

“I’m behind my brother fully, because with everything else going on, what else can we do at this point?” Quay said. “All the hate and everything is not needed because nothing works. It was spur of the moment. That was his instinct.”