Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

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.”

Justin Carissimo
Sunday 21 June 2015 00:39 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

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

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in