St. Paul Cop Accused of Urging Drivers to Run Over Black Lives Matter Protesters

A Minnesota police officer was put on administrative leave while officials investigate allegations that he posted a Facebook comment urging drivers to run over Black Lives Matter demonstrators protesting the police killings of two black men on Martin Luther King Day.

Sgt. Jeff Rothecker was identified by Andrew Henderson, a community activist who monitors police behavior, the Star Tribune reports.

Henderson alleged in a YouTube video that Rothecker wrote a comment that “incites violence against Black Lives Matter protesters” under a Pioneer Press article about Monday’s march in St. Paul. The Tribune reports the comment was deleted since it was originally posted, but Henderson included a screenshot of the comment in his video.

“Run them over,” the screenshot of the comment said. “Keep traffic flowing and don’t slow down for any of these idiots who try and block the street.”

According to the screenshot, the comment told drivers to stop a block or two away and call 911. The comment went on to instruct drivers how to avoid charges if they struck someone.

St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman issued a statement saying he was “outraged and disgusted” and had directed officials to investigate, according to AP.