This is the viral moment with over 1.2 million views a man said to be an American hip-hop producer allegedly knocks out a German tourist after the latter’s girlfriend attacked him in a Hilton hotel in Rio de Janeiro.
Footage of the incident, which has notched up over 1.2 million views on one social media platform alone, is making the rounds online after it was caught on camera at the Hilton hotel, reportedly located in Copacabana, which is a coastal neighbourhood known for its pristine beaches, in the South Zone of Rio de Janeiro, in south-eastern Brazil, on 30th December.
The footage shows the man, with long hair, who is said to be an American hip-hop producer, apparently being attacked by the woman, said to be a Brazilian national.
The American man can be seen allegedly pushing her away before landing a punch on another man’s chin, apparently knocking him out cold.
The man the American knocked out is reportedly a German tourist who is the boyfriend of the Brazilian woman.
None of the people in the incident have been named and according to local media reports, all of them have already left Brazil.
After the German man falls to the ground, the Brazilian woman allegedly tries to attack the American again but she is restrained by people who appear to be members of staff at the Hilton hotel.
A security guard claims that he was bitten by the Brazilian woman, according to local media.
The footage was posted online along with text in English, which has not been verified, but in which it is said that the fight began because the German and the Brazilian woman were not happy that the American had been seen before them.
The American is said to be a ‘diamond customer’ at the Hilton, which is a status within the hotel chain’s loyalty programme that entitles people to priority service.
An American producer named as HL Thompson reportedly commented on the video on social media and asked for the images of the incident to be sent to him, according to local media outlet G1. He also said that he was the target of racist abuse by the couple during the incident.
It has not been independently verified that the man in the footage is indeed HL Thompson, who is reportedly a hip-hop producer, still according to G1. The man also allegedly claimed that Hilton staff had prevented him from contacting the police.
The Hilton hotel released a statement saying that it is cooperating with the police and their investigation into the dispute, according to local media reports.
Police are investigating the incident and reviewing the footage. They are also reportedly planning to interview staff and speak to the manager.
