New Jersey man charged after viral video shows him yelling at Black woman, police say

MOUNT LAUREL, N.J. — A New Jersey man is facing charges after a viral TikTok video, viewed more than 1 million times, showed him yelling at a Black woman in their Mount Laurel neighborhood, police said.

New Jersey Man Charged After Yelling At Black Woman In Reported Racial Encounter

Mount Laurel police identified the man as Thomas Diiorio, 40, who was recorded shouting, “Get the f out of here! Go! Get in your car!” during a confrontation Monday evening on the 3000 block of Saxony Drive.

Police said officers responded around 6:30 p.m. and spoke with both individuals. At the time, neither party wished to pursue charges, ABC 6 reported.

According to court documents, Diiorio made statements during the encounter that led investigators to file charges days later. Records say Diiorio used the phrase “you people” and later clarified he meant Black people, telling officers he “never seems to have these problems with white people.”

Diiorio was charged with harassment and bias intimidation. He made his first court appearance Thursday and was released with orders to have no contact with the victim. His next hearing is scheduled for July.

The incident comes amid ongoing concerns about racial harassment in Mount Laurel. In 2021, a separate case involving resident Edward Matthews drew national attention after video showed him targeting Black neighbors; he was later sentenced to eight years in prison. Last year, the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office found the Mount Laurel Police Department failed to properly address harassment of Black residents.

Residents said the video was disturbing and raised renewed concerns about safety and bias in the community.