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Family Claims 7-Eleven Clerk Racially Profiled Teens

(CBS) -- An African-American family is accusing a Printers Row 7-Eleven of racial profiling after a 15-year-old and a 13-year-old were kicked out of the store Thursday evening.

As their mother waited outside, 15-year-old Colbie Morgan and his 13-year-old brother, Cahlil, went into the convenience store to get snacks.

They say a clerk kicked them out because they are black.

Family Claims Racial Profiling
Catherine James-Matthews and her sons Cahlil Morgan, 13, and Colbie Morgan, 15. (Steve Miller/WBBM)

The boys' irate mother recorded cell phone video when she went into the store. The clerk says it was because the boys were acting suspiciously - throwing something from one shelf onto another - and that he believed they were shoplifting.

WBBM asked 15-year-old Colbie if he thinks he did anything wrong in the store.

"The most I did wrong: I tossed it at the wrong aisle," the teen says.

The family is demanding the clerk be fired and that 7-Eleven apologize.

A statement from 7-Eleven says: "Every customer is important and should be treated with respect.  We are investigating the matter and will ensure it is handled appropriately."

 

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