HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – A disturbing video that began circulating online shows a man walk up to a dumpster and deliberately spray pepper spray into the face of a homeless man, prompting outrage and a wave of community support.
The incident happened late Monday at the Chevron at State Highway 249 and Bammel North Houston Road. The footage was shared widely after our KPRC 2 News community partner Grizzy’s Hood News posted it.
The video shows the suspect approaching the dumpster where the victim, identified as Jonathan Scarber, was sitting. After spraying Scarber in the face, the man runs back to a car; the person recording and a friend can be heard laughing as Scarber suffers from the burning pain.
“I was getting belongings out and just out of nowhere got pepper sprayed,” Scarber told KPRC 2. “I couldn’t open my eyes.”
A friend who rushed to Scarber’s aid, Wolfgang Loehr, described the victim’s pain.
“He was in pain,” Loehr said. “I said, ‘Jon, Jon you gotta get water.’ He said he couldn’t and I didn’t realize how bad the situation was. He was really messed up. I got him to water.”
After the video was posted and shared by Grizzy’s Hood News, people began arriving at the gas station with supplies and donations for Scarber.
“What people are doing out here by showing up, showing support and giving them hugs and encouragement — that speaks highly of Houston,” Grizzy said. “What these guys did is not reflective of Houstonians. We’re way better than that.”
Scarber said he appreciates the help he’s received from strangers and neighbors.
“I do appreciate all the help,” he said.
The man who recorded the video later returned to the store to apologize to Scarber in person; Scarber said the apology made him feel better. The man in the video has not been charged at this time. The Harris County Sheriff’s Office did respond to the scene and a report was filed.