Miami

‘Just Being Creative': Miami's Viral Stuntman Talks Arrest and Social Media Fame

A 20-year-old social media stuntman spoke exclusively to NBC 6 about his recent arrest and his huge online following.

John Hill, Jr., also known as Boonk on social media, was arrested Memorial Day Weekend after he pulled one of his stunts at a Miami Gardens Dunkin Donuts.

He was charged with burglary after he walked into the store, hopped onto the counter and left with a tray of donuts, police said. The stunt was filmed and posted online.

"I call it boonkin' because, you know, I'm running off," Hill told NBC 6. He said police picked him up on a warrant after that video went viral.

"When I got arrested, it was officers who knew who I was," Hill said. The 20-year-old told NBC 6 some people have questioned whether his videos are real.

"All my videos are real. The thing is that, it's the reactions that I get," said the viral star.

Other videos posted online show the 20-year-old running off with a dog, watch, someone’s iPhone and pulling slip-and-slide stunts inside stores across South Florida. Hill said he posted these videos to generate buzz for a rap career.

"I'm just being creative with the way that I do my videos," said Hill. "It's a publicity stunt. So, now that I got up there, now I'm trying to get my music back in."

His recorded stunts have racked up millions of views on Instagram alone. However, it’s not all “likes” from everyone. During his May bond court hearing, his attorney told the judge taking a tray of donuts, which Hill gave back, was not smart.

"To each his own…All the hate that I receive is on the internet. But, if you see me, like in the store, in the mall, in the street…let's take a picture,” the 20-year-old said.

Hill said he’s learning how to avoid trouble while still making viral videos.

“I'm riding the “boonkin” wave, right now.”

And he says he doesn’t plan on stopping.

"It's a publicity stunt -- so now that I got up there, now I'm trying to get my music back in.""It's a publicity stunt. So, now that I got up there, now I'm trying to get my music back in." 
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