On July 7, the students — all incoming freshmen participating in a summer program — had stopped by an IHOP in nearby Clayton for a late-night bite, and left after paying for their meal. On the way home, however, they were stopped by police, after the IHOP’s manager told authorities that a group of black men skipped out on a $62 bill.
Two officers stopped and questioned the students at shortly after midnight, some of whom provided receipts for their meal. The young men also offered to go back to the restaurant to speak with the manager, at which point they were followed my multiple squad cars.
Upon arriving at the restaurant, the manager told police it was not these young men who dined and dashed, but rather a different group. The students were subsequently released.
Clayton Police Chief Kevin Murphy said Monday that the department would be conducting an internal review following complaints from the parents of one of the students.
One of the accused students shares his story.