Jenkinson’s Aquarium fires gift shop employee at center of viral video

<p>Jenkinson&rsquo;s Aquarium has fired a gift shop employee following a viral video showing an encounter with the employee and a group of African-American students.</p>

News 12 Staff

Aug 14, 2018, 9:51 PM

Updated 2,089 days ago

Share:

Jenkinson’s Aquarium has fired a gift shop employee following a viral video showing an encounter with the employee and a group of African-American students.
The video purports to show what happened after the employee, who has not been identified, asked the group of girls to leave the gift shop and come back with a chaperon. The girls supposedly came back with an adult, but the employee says does she does not believe them, and kicks them out again.
The woman is heard on the video telling the group that they were “not welcomed” in the gift shop. The group alleges that the girls were targeted due to their race. But some published reports indicate the possibility of the girls misbehaving inside the shop.
Jenkinson’s initially suspended the employee, pending an investigation. The employee’s termination was announced Tuesday.
"In our 90-year history, Jenkinson's has always been and will continue to be the place where people from all races, religions, ages, genders and cultures are welcome,” Jenkinson’s spokesperson Toby Wolf said in a statement.
The incident happened Aug. 10.


More from News 12
2:32
Summer Safety Initiative: Overnight youth curfew in effect for the city of Newark

Summer Safety Initiative: Overnight youth curfew in effect for the city of Newark

1:59
Mostly cloudy Saturday in New Jersey; widespread showers on Sunday

Mostly cloudy Saturday in New Jersey; widespread showers on Sunday

1:46
Officials: Man killed in house explosion in South River identified as retired Newark officer

Officials: Man killed in house explosion in South River identified as retired Newark officer

0:42
NJ lawmakers criticize how Rutgers officials negotiated with pro-Palestinian protesters

NJ lawmakers criticize how Rutgers officials negotiated with pro-Palestinian protesters

0:28
Special election to be held to fill late Rep. Donald Payne’s seat in Congress

Special election to be held to fill late Rep. Donald Payne’s seat in Congress

0:42
Jersey Proud: Army ROTC students from Rutgers, Seton Hall and Princeton train together

Jersey Proud: Army ROTC students from Rutgers, Seton Hall and Princeton train together

1:32
Knowing the early warning signs during Stroke Awareness Month

Knowing the early warning signs during Stroke Awareness Month

0:27
Prosecutor: 2 people seriously injured in 3-car crash; driver charged with drunk driving

Prosecutor: 2 people seriously injured in 3-car crash; driver charged with drunk driving

0:30
Police: New York man pointed knife at pro-Palestinian protester in Teaneck

Police: New York man pointed knife at pro-Palestinian protester in Teaneck

0:27
Officials: Paterson man threatened to ‘shoot up’ JFK Int’l Airport

Officials: Paterson man threatened to ‘shoot up’ JFK Int’l Airport

2:02
Authorities: Major fire displaces 20 people from 9 families in Elizabeth

Authorities: Major fire displaces 20 people from 9 families in Elizabeth

1:04
Hillsborough school officials vote to end middle school sports, make staff cuts amid budget cuts

Hillsborough school officials vote to end middle school sports, make staff cuts amid budget cuts

0:49
Bridgewater-Raritan School District waives fees to participate in clubs, sports

Bridgewater-Raritan School District waives fees to participate in clubs, sports

0:39
Officials: 3 pedestrians, including 2 children, struck by NYC-based news van in Elizabeth

Officials: 3 pedestrians, including 2 children, struck by NYC-based news van in Elizabeth

0:28
GoFundMe started for 6-month-old boy and his grandfather killed by fallen tree in Verona

GoFundMe started for 6-month-old boy and his grandfather killed by fallen tree in Verona

0:40
Main Street New Jersey: Restaurants, businesses to visit in Edgewater

Main Street New Jersey: Restaurants, businesses to visit in Edgewater

3:21
Bridge over section of I-95 in process of being demolished due to damage from truck fire

Bridge over section of I-95 in process of being demolished due to damage from truck fire

1:12
Several house fires break out Thursday in New Jersey; 1 man dead

Several house fires break out Thursday in New Jersey; 1 man dead

0:18
South Brunswick police searching for missing man last seen on Route 1

South Brunswick police searching for missing man last seen on Route 1

1:26
Look up! Annual Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks early Sunday morning

Look up! Annual Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks early Sunday morning