Black Lives Matter activist MarShawn McCarrel reportedly took his own life outside of the Ohio Statehouse on Jan. 8. After posting a set of cryptic final messages on Facebook and Twitter, McCarrel succumbed to a self-inflicted gunshot wound. As the news rocked the Black Lives Matter world, one Ohio police officer threw a celebration for the tragedy. Lee Cyr, posted a comment on the Ohio Politics Facebook calling McCarrel’s suicide a “happy ending:”
Upon the discovery of Cyr’s comment, he was initially placed on leave as authorities investigated the situation. He was fired thereafter, with the Fairborn Police Department offering a statement on the matter.
“This action is in violation of the department’s social media policy and does not conform to the Professional Standards & Core Values established by the organization,” it read.
McCarell was respected for his activism, and was set to receive a Hometown Champions Award from RadioOne ahead of his death. He also a founder of Pursuing Our Dreams, a mentorship program for inner-city youth, as well as Feed The Streets, an initiative to aid the homeless. His final Facebook post was shared over 1,000 times.
“My demons won today. I’m sorry,” he wrote.