Fact Check: Did Sharmake Beyle Omar Record the Viral Video of Shiloh Hendricks?

Who Recorded the Shiloh Hendricks Video?

As of now, the identity of the person who recorded the viral video of Shiloh Hendricks remains unconfirmed. The video does not show the recorder’s face, and they speak only briefly while challenging Hendricks' language during the confrontation. No name is mentioned in the video, and no official authority — including the Rochester Police Department — has disclosed the recorder’s identity.

Despite this, speculative posts on social media have attempted to name individuals, including Sharmake Beyle Omar, as the person behind the camera. However, these claims are unsupported by evidence and have not been corroborated by any reliable news source, law enforcement report, or eyewitness.

Hendricks herself has hinted in her fundraiser that the person who recorded her has a criminal past, but she did not name anyone directly, and did not provide proof.

Sharmake Beyle Omar (L) and Siloh Hendricks (R).

The Background: A Viral Incident in Rochester, Minnesota

In late April 2025, a video captured at Soldiers Field Memorial Park in Rochester, Minnesota, went viral across social media platforms. The clip shows a white woman, later identified as Shiloh Hendricks, allegedly using the N-word in reference to a five-year-old Black child during a heated confrontation. Hendricks claims the child attempted to take items from her toddler’s diaper bag.

The video sparked immediate backlash online, with many calling for accountability and others defending Hendricks, who insists she was protecting her child. As the video gained traction, attention quickly shifted to the person behind the camera.

Read more: Who is Shiloh Hendricks? A Minnesota Mom Raises $430K After Racial Slur Video

Social Media Claims: Was Sharmake Beyle Omar the Cameraman?

Soon after the video surfaced, rumors began circulating that the person recording it was Sharmake Beyle Omar, a Somali-American man from Rochester. Online posts alleged Omar had a criminal background — specifically referencing a 2023 charge of raping a 16-year-old. These posts were widely shared, often accompanied by screenshots and inflammatory commentary.

However, there is no verifiable evidence that Sharmake Omar recorded the video. No law enforcement agency, media outlet, or eyewitness has confirmed his presence at the scene.

The Truth About the Charges Against Omar

It’s true that Sharmake Beyle Omar was charged in 2023 with third-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a minor. However, those charges were officially dismissed in March 2025 by the Olmsted County Attorney’s Office, citing a lack of sufficient evidence and "in the interest of justice."

The dismissal means Omar was not convicted and is not legally guilty of the allegations. Despite this, the internet has resurfaced the charges as a way to discredit or cast suspicion on the anonymous person who filmed Hendricks.

What the Video Shows — and Doesn’t Show

In the video, the person recording challenges Hendricks on her use of racial slurs and continues filming despite her hostility. However, the individual does not show their face, nor speak at length, making identification nearly impossible.

As of this writing, no credible witness or investigative authority has named the person who took the video.

Crowdfunding and Public Reaction

Shiloh Hendricks' 'Help Me Protect My Family' Fundraiser

Following the backlash, Hendricks launched a GiveSendGo campaign titled "Help Me Protect My Family", claiming she received threats and harassment after the video went viral. As of May 3, 2025, the campaign has raised over $460,000, with a target goal of $1 million.

Meanwhile, the Rochester NAACP launched a separate fundraiser to support the child and his family. That campaign has raised over $150,000, with funds reportedly going toward community support and racial justice initiatives.

Why the Rumor Matters

The claim that Omar filmed the video appears to be part of a broader effort to shift focus away from Hendricks’ actions and onto the background of a supposed witness. Even though the charges against Omar were dismissed, the narrative framing him as the “real criminal” plays into common tactics of deflection in racially charged incidents.

Conclusion: No Verified Evidence Links Omar to the Video

To date, no verified source, no official authority, and no credible media outlet has confirmed that Sharmake Beyle Omar recorded the Shiloh Hendricks video. The rumors originated from unverified social media speculation, and the resurfaced criminal case — which was dismissed — has been misused to mislead the public.

As the story evolves, it's crucial to distinguish between substantiated facts and viral misinformation.

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