Texas firefighter sacked after congratulating the #CharlestonShooting suspect for killing nine black churchgoers
“He [Dylann Roof] needs to be praised for the good deed he has done.”
![](https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/thumbnails/image/2015/06/20/23/firefighter21n-1-web.jpg)
Your support helps us to tell the story
As your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.
Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn't have the resources to challenge those in power.
Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November election
![Head shot of Andrew Feinberg](https://static.independent.co.uk/static-assets/support-us/andrew-feinberg.png)
Andrew Feinberg
White House Correspondent
A volunteer firefighter from Texas was fired on Friday after congratulating the suspected terrorist for murdering nine black clergy members in Charleston, South Carolina.
Former East Texas firefighter Kurtis Cook allegedly posted the racist message onto the South Carolina newspaper’s Facebook page in response to the tragedy at Charleston Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church on Wednesday night.
“He [Dylann Roof] needs to be praised for the good deed he has done,” he wrote.
Mr Cook sparked a Mabank Fire Department investigation and uproar amongst social media users. The department quickly announced it would review the allegations.
“The Mabank Fire Department Command Staff is in the process of investigating the allegations being made of Firefighter Kurtis Cook. The Command Staff wants the public to know that the MFD takes these allegations seriously and will take the appropriate actions.”
And nearly one hour later, the MFD released a second statement confirming Mr Cook’s termination.
“As of 11.23 hrs, after an investigation in the allegations being made of Firefighter Kurtis Cook, the Mabank Fire Department Command Staff has terminated Kurtis Cook as a volunteer Firefighter permanently and has trespassed him from all Mabank Fire Department property."
"The Mabank Fire Department does not condone nor promote these type of actions or thoughts. On behalf of all members, the Mabank Fire Department offers our deepest apologies to all that were offended by his actions and comments.”
H/T Jordan Uhl
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments