VIDEO: Houston Barber Xavier Martinez Identified as Man Filmed Pepper Spraying Homeless Man Jonathan Scarber at Gas Station Dumpster as Outrage Grows

A Houston barber has come under intense scrutiny after being caught on camera pepper spraying a homeless man outside a Chevron gas station earlier this week. The video, which quickly spread across social media, has sparked widespread outrage and renewed calls for compassion toward the city’s homeless community.

The man in the video has been identified as Xavier Martinez, a local barber who goes by @iggymadeithappen on social media. According to KPRC 2 and its community partner Grizzy’s Hood News, the incident occurred Monday night near State Highway 249 and Bammel North Houston Road.

The Disturbing Video

In the disturbing clip, Martinez is seen walking toward a dumpster where homeless man Jonathan Scarber was sitting and sorting through belongings. Without warning, Martinez sprays pepper spray directly into Scarber’s face, causing him to cry out in pain. Martinez then runs back to a nearby car, laughing, while the person filming the incident can also be heard laughing in the background.

“I was getting my belongings out and just out of nowhere got pepper sprayed,” Scarber told KPRC 2. “I couldn’t open my eyes.”

A friend of Scarber’s, Wolfgang Loehr, rushed to help after seeing him in distress. “He was in pain,” Loehr said. “I told him, ‘Jon, you’ve got to get water.’ He said he couldn’t, and I didn’t realize how bad the situation was. He was really messed up. I got him to water.”

Houston Community Responds with Kindness

While the video sparked anger, it also inspired an outpouring of compassion. After the footage went viral, dozens of Houstonians began showing up at the Chevron gas station with supplies, food, and donations for Scarber, who is well-known in the area.

“What people are doing out here by showing up, showing support and giving him hugs and encouragement — that speaks highly of Houston,” said Grizzy, founder of Grizzy’s Hood News. “What those guys did is not reflective of who we are. We’re better than that.”

Scarber expressed deep gratitude for the kindness shown to him.

“I do appreciate all the help,” he said.

Calls for Accountability

In a surprising turn, the man who filmed the assault reportedly returned to the gas station to apologize to Scarber in person. Scarber said the apology helped him feel “a little better,” though many in the community continue to demand that Xavier Martinez face consequences for his actions.

As of now, Martinez has not been charged, but the Harris County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the case is under investigation and that the video footage is being reviewed as evidence.

The incident has fueled conversations about how society treats its most vulnerable members and the responsibility of bystanders to intervene rather than ridicule.