A viral story of a woman allegedly assaulted with a brick after refusing to give her phone number has taken a dramatic turn, with police uncovering evidence that contradicts the initial claims. Roda Osman, 33, gained widespread attention in September 2023 after posting a video showing her injured face and accusing a man of attacking her outside a Houston club.
However, the Houston Police Department’s investigation has led to felony charges against Osman for theft by deception, raising questions about the authenticity of her story and the viral nature of social media claims.
In her emotional video, Osman claimed that a man struck her with a brick after she rejected his advances.
“I never did anything in my life to hurt anybody,”
She said, visibly distressed.
“Literally a man asked me for my number, I said no, and he picked up a brick in front of so many men.”
She also criticized bystanders, stating,
“All these Black men just watched, and they don’t give a f—.”
The video quickly spread across platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter, prompting outrage and sympathy. A GoFundMe campaign titled “Help Roda Recover” was launched, raising nearly $43,000 in donations to support her recovery.
As the Houston Police Department investigated, discrepancies in Osman’s account emerged. Charging documents reveal that her story changed multiple times. Initially, she maintained that the assault was unprovoked, but later suggested the suspect might have been her Uber driver, whom she accused of human trafficking. A friend present during the incident reportedly told police “off the record” that she doubted Osman was attacked with a brick.
Security footage from the area further contradicted Osman’s claims. According to prosecutors, the video showed Osman, her friend, and a man identified as Olan Douglas entering a lounge and leaving shortly after. Outside, near a white Maserati, Osman and Douglas engaged in a confrontation. The footage allegedly shows Osman slapping Douglas first, after which he retaliated by hitting her with a water bottle, not a brick. Keith Houston of the Harris County District Attorney’s Office stated,
“The defendant slapped the male, who then responded by slapping her back. He did have a water bottle in his hand, and we think that’s what left the mark on her face.”
Based on the investigation, Osman was charged with felony theft by deception. Authorities allege that she fabricated the assault story to solicit donations. In response, GoFundMe removed the fundraiser, refunded all donors, and banned Osman from using the platform for future campaigns.
The case took another twist when mental health advocate Daphne Sutton informed police of a similar incident in 2020. Sutton claimed Osman had previously created a GoFundMe page alleging that a Black security guard assaulted her in Minneapolis, Minnesota. However, when Houston detectives contacted Minneapolis police, they found no report of such an incident.
As the investigation unfolded, social media users resurfaced older videos allegedly showing Osman slapping white men. Some online commentators used these videos to question her credibility, with one purported witness stating, “She’s not as innocent as she trying to portray herself to be.”
However, Osman’s supporters argued that the videos were part of a consensual skit and highlighted her academic achievements, including her status as a PhD candidate and her community work.
No police reports were filed regarding that incident. She has reportedly addressed the situation on social media, though details of her response remain unclear. The legal process will determine the validity of the charges.
