A Toronto store owner, Dragana Kljajic, is under fire for allegedly locking a Black woman, Symone Sparks, inside her shop and falsely accusing her of theft in what many are calling a blatantly racist incident. The altercation, which took place at Bloor Optical, has sparked outrage online after a TikTok video documenting the event went viral.
The ordeal began when Sparks and her partner, Demi, entered the store after completing an eye exam at a neighboring clinic. According to Sparks, Kljajic blocked the exit and refused to let them leave, claiming she suspected them of stealing.
In the now-viral video, Sparks is heard confronting Kljajic: “What happened? You think I took something from you?” Kljajic, appearing indifferent, responded with a shrug, saying, “I don’t know.” Sparks then expressed her disbelief at the situation, stating, “You just locked the door, and you locked me in here, and you said I took something from you. That’s crazy. I’m coming here to buy things from you. Why would I steal from you?”
Despite Sparks offering to have her clothes searched and suggesting they call the police to prove her innocence, Kljajic reportedly refused to back down. Demi, Sparks’ partner, urged the store staff to check their surveillance footage, emphasizing their honesty.
The confrontation took a heavier tone when Sparks questioned whether her race played a role in the accusation. “Is it because I’m Black? Is that the problem?” she asked.
A white male customer in the store eventually intervened, admonishing Kljajic for her actions. “It’s against the law, and you’re confining them, which is also against the law. This is racism,” he said.
Despite Sparks and Demi calling 911, police reportedly told them that the situation did not qualify as an emergency. They later visited a police station to file a formal report.
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The incident has since drawn widespread criticism on social media, with many users condemning Kljajic’s actions as both unlawful and discriminatory. Some supporters have urged Sparks to pursue legal action, noting that the act of locking someone in a room constitutes unlawful confinement.
“Why would someone steal frames that aren’t even prescription to their eyes?” one commenter questioned. Another added, “Contact a lawyer and see if you can sue! They can’t confine you and embarrass you like that.”
In the aftermath of the incident, Sparks launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover legal fees. In a heartfelt message on the campaign page, she described the experience as a “traumatic and painful reminder of the racism and discrimination that Black individuals, especially Black queer women like myself, continue to face daily.”
The campaign has so far raised CAD 330 of its CAD 12,000 goal. Sparks hopes the funds will help her seek justice for what she called an “unjust and dehumanizing” ordeal.
Kljajic has not publicly commented on the allegations. As the story continues to garner attention, many are calling for accountability and urging further discussion about systemic racism and its impact on Black lives in everyday situations.
