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A New Jersey detention officer was suspended after allegedly posting a “hateful” comment on social media about the 5-year-old boy who was killed in North Carolina.
Rome Smith was suspended from his job at the Cumberland County Juvenile Detention Center after allegedly writing that Cannon Hinnant, who was shot to death by a neighbor earlier this month, “should’ve ducked.” Smith also accused the boy’s parents of negligence in the Facebook comment that was captured in screenshots.
let’s make him famous #romesmith pic.twitter.com/10B2HpzxBk
— Katy (@Katy69413678) August 14, 2020
Hinnant’s neighbor, 25-year-old Darius Nathaniel Sessoms, was charged with first-degree murder in the boy’s death after he allegedly walked up to him while he was riding his bike and shot him in the head. Police have not released any details about a motive for the shooting, though many on social media speculated it was about race.
The boy’s father, Austin Hinnant, told the Wilson Times, “This is no racial issue.”
But Smith, who is black, referred to race in his Facebook comment which appeared to no longer be available by early Wednesday.
“His Facebook account and other social media outlets appear to have been disabled. Attempts to reach him for comment Tuesday morning were unsuccessful,” NJ.com reported.
“He should’ve ducked,” the 49-year-old allegedly wrote. “Y’all always trying to sneak diss and discredit a black person being killed innocently by police. Blame cannon’s parents for not watching him!!! F Y’ALL.”
Cumberland County officials did not name Smith directly but confirmed the suspension, condemning his remarks as “shockingly insensitive and racist in tone,” according to NJ.com. Cumberland County Freeholder Director Joseph Derella noted that details about the investigation will remain private until the review is complete.
“We will not tolerate County employees using social media to broadcast hateful messages,” Derella said. “This is not who we are and we intend to pursue the strongest action available to us.”
Smith has reportedly been enrolled in the state’s pension system for 26 years and currently earns $56,678, according to NJ.com.
Hinnant’s father choked back emotions as he spoke with a local news outlet ahead of the boy’s funeral last week.
“There wasn’t anything between me and him, any bad blood whatsoever, for him to have a reason to do this,” he said of the man who took his son’s life.
“I was looking at him as I was picking up Cannon,” the distraught father said. “I was so full of rage, but I couldn’t leave my son’s side. I wanted to be with my son.”
Heartbroken father of slain 5-yr-old Cannon Hinnant bravely recounts horrific moments, donations SOAR https://t.co/YxoffREd36
— Conservative News (@BIZPACReview) August 14, 2020
Social media users who saw Smith’s disgusting comment on Facebook immediately slammed it “racist” and “very disturbing,” calling for him to be fired.
@GovMurphy you need to addresss this individual in your state making obvious racist and very disturbing posts. He is laughing at the death of a 5 year old who was executed. This officer Rome Smith needs sensitivity training #JusticeForCannon pic.twitter.com/czwPp1ds5R
— Anna DV (@dv_devain) August 15, 2020
Suspended? He should be fired.
— Abiodun Olatunde (@Abiodun40070159) August 19, 2020
Boy’s. Let his workplace know what a great job he’s doing. #JusticeForCannonHinnant #JusticeForCannon pic.twitter.com/7oqv9C2VWb
— thespeakeasy1 (@thespeakeasy11) August 15, 2020
Glad to hear action was taken on this ignorant fool who made this vile comment. He is of the same mentality that promoted the “wrong Trump” hashtag. https://t.co/bkpI0Px0co
— Sam Houston (@ColonelsCONEX) August 19, 2020
You really have to be one callous, soulless, low life POS to even write that!
— Jack Garcia (@JackGarcia66) August 19, 2020
This is a small victory Rome Smith you do not deserve to be employed by any job giving you authority over juveniles! All we can do is pray for you. If it was your son would you appreciate anyone making a sick comment like that?
I made several calls then they posted update. pic.twitter.com/XIr2cAX5gj— 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸Mike Manning🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸✝️✝️✝️🙏🤲 (@MikeMan67771347) August 15, 2020
What a POS. Cant imagine if it were the other way around.
— Bob Stevens (@BobStev23041218) August 18, 2020
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Frieda@bizpacreview.com
Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
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