A Pittsburgh police officer has been placed on desk duty for making light of Jimmy Wopo’s death in a Facebook post, Post-Gazette reports.
Pittsburgh police confirmed Friday they were aware of “a Facebook post by a city officer” and said the city’s Office of Municipal Investigations is looking into the issue. Police didn’t name Zone 6 officer Brian M. Martin in the statement.
City issues statement on officer's social media post @billpeduto @PghPublicSafety https://t.co/M604tefYQX
— Daniel Gilman (@danielgilman) June 23, 2018
“We will hold this officer accountable for his actions,” spokesman Chris Togneri said in a statement Friday. “Comments that disparage victims and endanger the community and fellow officers will not be tolerated by the city of Pittsburgh.”
Jimmy was one of two people shot in Pittsburgh’s Middle Hill neighborhood. Jimmy was taken to the hospital in critical condition but died from his injuries.
Family and friends held a candlelight vigil in his honor at West Penn Park, Polish Hill at 8 p.m. last Thursday.
Togneri said the officer was placed on “modified duty.”
Martin was upset with the lack of protests for Wopo’s death as compared to the police shooting death of 17-year-old Antwon Rose II. Rose was shot while running away from East Pittsburgh Officer Michael Rosfeld on Tuesday.
“No one protesting for him [Jimmy Wopo]?” the post reads in part. “Everyone forgot about the wopo (sic) murder that quick?”
Officer Martin replied, “Not me. I’m still celebrating.”
