NYC Doorman Arrested in Self-Defense After Racist Assault: Exclusive Video Breakdown

In a disturbing incident unfolding on the streets of downtown Manhattan, doorman Lawrence Montgomery was slapped and subjected to racial slurs by tenant Kevin Lewis Karten before being arrested for pushing back in what he describes as clear self-defense. Captured on Montgomery's AI Ray-Ban smart glasses, the viral footage—now amassing tens of thousands of views—exposes a tense confrontation that began as a petty dispute over dog-walking etiquette and escalated into allegations of harassment, entitlement, and systemic bias in the justice system.

The altercation traces back to September 16, 2025, when Karten reportedly harassed Montgomery over a note left for another resident about walking her dog, insisting the doorman spell an unfamiliar breed's name and accusing him of being dismissive. Over the next two days, the tenant continued verbal provocations, culminating on September 18 in a sidewalk clash outside their building. Video shows Karten approaching aggressively, slapping Montgomery across the face, and uttering the N-word amid shouts about the doorman's mother—prompting Montgomery to shove him away.

Despite Montgomery urging a bystander to call police and presenting the unedited recording as evidence, officers arrested him on five charges, including assault, while Karten positioned himself as the victim, threatening legal action. "Now this jackass thinks he can take me to court and is playing the victim when I have full proof of his actions," Montgomery stated in a public account shared widely online. "The video proves how broken the justice system still is and how no matter whether you're the victim, you will get racially profiled."

As of October 2, 2025, no charges have been filed against Karten, fueling outrage across social media with calls for justice under #FreeTheDoorman. This case raises urgent questions about racial disparities in policing, the right to self-defense, and accountability for those wielding privilege as a weapon. Watch the full, unaltered footage and hear Montgomery's firsthand account—does the evidence demand a reckoning?

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