Police officer investigated for social media post 'celebrating' rapper Jimmy Wopo's death
A Pennsylvania police officer has been put on desk duty after posting what appeared to have been a celebration of the death of up-and-coming rapper Jimmy Wopo on social media.
Pittsburgh's police department said it was investigating the post by officer Brian Martin, who reportedly said he was “celebrating” the rapper’s death during a Facebook exchange.
He had immediately been referred "for a full investigation" after the force became aware of the post, the city said in a statement posted online.
It added: “We will hold this officer accountable for his actions. Comments that disparage victims and endanger the community and fellow officers will not be tolerated by the City of Pittsburgh. Such behaviour is a poor reflection on the Bureau and will not be tolerated.”
It is not clear when the social media exchange took place, but Facebook users who saw it reportedly shared screenshots of the encounter online.
A user said they were protesting the death of the rapper, adding that recent protests surrounding the shooting death in the city of 17-year-old Antwon Rose II showed that Wopo has been forgotten about.
Mr Rose II was unarmed when he was killed on 19 June by a police officer who had been sworn in just hours before the incident. The officer has since been charged with criminal homicide, which could carry a maximum penalty of life in prison.
“No one protesting for him?” part of the social media post says, referring to the slain rapper. “Everyone forgot about the wopo (sic) murder that quick?”
Mr Martin then reportedly replied: “Not me. I’m still celebrating.”
The City of Pittsburgh said that the officer had been placed on “modified duty”. Officials later clarified that that means he is on desk duty.
Wopo was killed on June 18, when a gunman opened fire on his vehicle and hit him alongside another male passenger. The 21-year-old was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.
His death coincided with the murder of fellow rapper XXXTentacion, who was shot in the neck during an apparent burglary of a motorcycle dealership in Florida.
