NEW ORLEANS, La. — A New Orleans Police Officer is suspended without pay after posting remarks online about the Florida teen who was killed by a neighborhood watch person. Officer Jason Giroir posted comment on WWL T-V in New Orleans about local protests about Trayvon Martin. Martin was shot and killed in February by George Zimmerman.
The deadly shooting has gained national attention for several reasons including the fact that Zimmerman hasn’t been charged or arrested in Martin’s death. One of Giror’s comments was ‘act like a thug die like one.’
The officer posted comments under his own name on his Facebook page as well even though he was already on desk duty as part of another investigation.
Giror was involved in a traffic stop that ended with one suspect dead and two of his fellow officers badly wounded.
New Orleans Police Chief Ronal Sirpas announced Giror’s immediate suspension without pay for the 13-year-old veteran officer.
“Giroir by those statements has embarrassed his department with sensitive, harmful and offensive comments,” said Chief Sirpas. “The New Orleans Police Department specifically condemns these comments, and comments like this will not be tolerated.”
Martin was an African American teen who was walking home when he was shot by George Zimmerman who is White and Hispanic. Martin was un-armed but Zimmerman claims self-defense. Several rallies have been held all over the country, including Kansas City, in Martin’s memory.
Giror has been suspended indefinitely while his comments and the deadly shooting are investigated.
