Just days after a Kansas police officer was fired for threatening a black woman and her child on Facebook, a South Carolina fire captain has been fired for threatening to run over Black Lives Matter protesters. Columbia Fire Department 16-year-veteran James "Jimmy" Morris wrote two threatening Facebook posts against Black Lives Matter protesters on Sunday at about 10 p.m., the New York Daily News reported.
"Idiots shutting down I-126," wrote Morris. "Better not be there when I get off work or there is gonna be some run over dumb asses."
In a second post, Morris wrote: "Public Service Announcement If you attempt to shut down an interstate, highway, etc on my way home, you best hope I'm not one of the first vehicles in line because your ass WILL get run over! Period! That is all."
On Monday, Columbia Fire Chief Aubrey Jenkins announced in a statement that Morris had been fired: "An employee with the Columbia Fire Department has been terminated as a result of conduct unbecoming of City of Columbia employees. This decision was made to ensure our communities that the Columbia Fire Department will not condone or tolerate this type of behavior."
He also said, "This one poor decision should not reflect the character, dedication and professionalism of the men and women of the Columbia Fire Department.”
According to Jenkins, Morris wrote the Facebook posts while on duty. City Manager Teresa Wilson also condemned Morris' comments, saying "Any actions taken to communicate or demonstrate a lack of respect for the lives and safety of others falls into the category of 'zero tolerance."
Jenkins said fire stations and the firehouse where Morris worked were put on lockdown and temporarily closed for firefighters' safety.
In January, a Minnesota police sergeant urged drivers to run over Black Lives Matter protesters.
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