SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) – A Texas photography business owner said she has received death threats and calls threatening to destroy her business due to a case of mistaken identity connected to an incident in Louisiana.
Shelby T. Rhodes, owner of Shelby Rhodes Photography in Texas, posted a video on Facebook Monday saying she has been wrongly identified as someone involved in an attack on a grandmother in Louisiana. Rhodes gave KSLA News 12 permission to use her Facebook video.
“I am Shelby Tara Rhodes. And my photography business is in Texas. Not Louisiana,” Rhodes said in the video.
Rhodes said people have been calling and leaving messages threatening to rape and kill her and destroy her business online. She said the threats stem from confusion over her identity in connection with a Louisiana incident involving an attack on a grandmother during a Mardi Gras Parade.
“By responding hatefully back to the people that are calling me and leaving messages that they’re going to rape me, that they’re going to kill me, that they’re going to destroy my business online and everywhere that they can. I forgive you,” Rhodes said. “I know you don’t understand, but I just hope that maybe you can see this video and understand in my heart that I’m not that person and nor would I ever do anything that happened. The irony is, I have a mistaken identity issue.”
Photographer appeals for end to harassment
In the emotional video, Rhodes said she forgives those who have threatened her and asked them to stop the attacks on her business.
“I forgive you. I know you don’t understand. But I just hope that maybe you can see this video and understand in my heart that I’m not that person,” Rhodes said.
Rhodes described herself as “a God-loving grandmother.” She said one man who initially called to attack her later helped her find ways to clarify her identity on social media.
“Be careful what you say and what you do. Because it’s a different world these days,” Rhodes said. She said she was told to be humble and asked for the harassment to end.
Rhodes said she prays for all people involved in the Louisiana incident and hopes “their hearts are pure enough to forgive.”
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