A Minnesota police sergeant was placed on administrative leave over a Facebook post that reportedly urged drivers to “run over” Black Lives Matter protestors who planned to march on Monday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day. According to KMSP, Sgt. Jeffrey M. Rothecker is now being investigated after activist Andrew Henderson saw the post by a user named "JM Roth" and filed a complaint with internal affairs on Sunday. Read the full text below:
Run them over. Keep traffic flowing and don’t slow down for any of these idiots who try and block the street. Here is the deal, you continue to drive and if you hit someone make sure you call 911 to report the accident and meet the cops a block or two away and you can justify stopping further away because you feared for your safety since the past people in this group has shown a propensity towards violence. Since they are trying to block the street and/or cross where there is no crossing you should not be charged with anything. Now, these idiots could try and sue you in civil court, but remember that it will be jury trial and so most likely it will come out in your favor.
St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman released a statement on the incident, saying "I am outraged and disgusted by the post and have directed the SPPD to investigate. There is no room in the Saint Paul Police Department for employees who threaten members of the public. If the allegation is true, we will take the strongest possible action allowed under law."
The St. Paul Police Department, who said the account has been removed, also spoke out on the matter via a Facebook post on their official page.
