A white jogger in Oakland, California, was caught on video tossing a homeless man's clothes, blankets and other items into a nearby lake.  

Local filmmaker and photographer JJ Harris caught the egregious act on camera, which went viral. The unidentified jogger tossed the belongings into the lake at the public park as a group looked on and attempted to stop him.

“I’m picking up trash, what do you want me to do? Look at this,” the man said in the video. “It’s disgusting.” He also reportedly said the items "smelled." 

Harris, who lives close to the lake, told The Guardian he knew the man whose belongings they were. Usually, the homeless gentleman, identified only as Drew, would keep his possessions in order and out of the way of parkgoers.

“I was just completely taken aback … This is a homeless man’s stuff – a guy who is always peaceful, never causing trouble, always giving you a smile. That he would do this to another human being, the lack of compassion is astonishing.”

Since the video went viral, people have compared this incident to an incident at Lake Merritt in late April where a white woman called the police on two black men barbecuing in the park. 

“His stuff is in the corner, not blocking the walkway,” Harris said, adding he had decided to start filming when he realized the jogger was trashing someone’s belongings. “I see somebody just throwing huge amounts of blankets into the lake. I was just shocked.”

One of the victims involved in the Lake Merritt incident, Kenzie Smith, has spearheaded fundraising efforts for Drew. He has also received blankets, food, clothes and other items to help him get back on his feet. Supporters have also launched a GoFundMe campaign for Drew that has raised thousands.   

“It just feels like this is the direction Oakland is going,” said Harris. “People are going to need to step up.”

Oakland JoggerOakland-HomelessnessWhite man tosses homeless man things