<header id="a-headers"> Texas firefighter fired for siding with Charleston shooting suspect Dylann Roof in Facebook post
BY Nicole Hensley
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Saturday, June 20, 2015, 3:13 PM
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FacebookA screenshot shows Kurtis Cook’s comment on a Facebook post from Thursday that ended his volunteer career at Mabank Fire Department in Texas.
A firefighter lost his volunteer position at Mabank, Texas fire department for sympathizing with Dylann Roof, the alleged murder behind the Charleston massacre.
The racist comment seemingly written by Kurtis Cook this week said Roof “needs to be praised for the good deed he has done” in the killing of nine people Wednesday.
The 21-year-old is believed to have shot the victims to death at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston on Wednesday night.
He was busted 14 hours later on Thursday in Shelby, N.C. after a manhunt.
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POOL/REUTERS Dylann Storm Roof appears by closed-circuit televison at a bond hearing in Charleston, South Carolina as relatives of those killed at the church forgive him.
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Cook’s statement posted Thursday as well sparked an internal investigation that eventually cost him his job a day later, fire officials announced.
“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 department’s spokesperson wrote Friday afternoon. “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.”
It’s not clear where on Facebook Cook apparently wrote his insensitive opinion, but a screenshot obtained by KETK-TV shows that another Facebook user encouraged those that were offended to call Mabank and report the firefighter.
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JOHN TAGGART/EPA Patricia Bailey from Charleston prays at the memorial site outside of the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church where nine people were murdered in Charleston, South Carolina.
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“Tell them their firefighter, Kurtis Cook, is making racist comments on Facebook and whatever else feels right to you. Be peaceful and kind even though his ignorance is hateful and angry,” the Charlottesville, Va. resident wrote.
His words mirrored the forgiveness and mercy relatives of those killed in Charlestown showed Roof during his court hearing Friday.
Roof faces nine murder and a weapon charge while being held at the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office.
nhensley@nydailynews.com
BY Nicole Hensley
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Saturday, June 20, 2015, 3:13 PM
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FacebookA screenshot shows Kurtis Cook’s comment on a Facebook post from Thursday that ended his volunteer career at Mabank Fire Department in Texas.
A firefighter lost his volunteer position at Mabank, Texas fire department for sympathizing with Dylann Roof, the alleged murder behind the Charleston massacre.
The racist comment seemingly written by Kurtis Cook this week said Roof “needs to be praised for the good deed he has done” in the killing of nine people Wednesday.
The 21-year-old is believed to have shot the victims to death at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston on Wednesday night.
He was busted 14 hours later on Thursday in Shelby, N.C. after a manhunt.
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Cook’s statement posted Thursday as well sparked an internal investigation that eventually cost him his job a day later, fire officials announced.
“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 department’s spokesperson wrote Friday afternoon. “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.”
It’s not clear where on Facebook Cook apparently wrote his insensitive opinion, but a screenshot obtained by KETK-TV shows that another Facebook user encouraged those that were offended to call Mabank and report the firefighter.
<figure class="a-image h">
</figure>
“Tell them their firefighter, Kurtis Cook, is making racist comments on Facebook and whatever else feels right to you. Be peaceful and kind even though his ignorance is hateful and angry,” the Charlottesville, Va. resident wrote.
His words mirrored the forgiveness and mercy relatives of those killed in Charlestown showed Roof during his court hearing Friday.
Roof faces nine murder and a weapon charge while being held at the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office.
nhensley@nydailynews.com
