A Florida police K-9 officer is facing disciplinary action after he posted a disturbing comment on Facebook in a thread about a "die-in" protest at a supermarket.
Information about the protest at Publix, where nationally-known Parkland student David Hogg and other students outlined 17 bodies in the parking lot, was posted on a Coral Springs/Parkland Facebook page, the Sun-Sentinel reports .
Brian Valenti, who has been with Coconut Creek Police Department for 23 years, wrote "hope some old lady loses control of her car in that lot" under a photo of Hogg, who organized the event.
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A screenshot of the comment was sent to Coconut Creek commissioners and Police Chief Butch Arenal Saturday night, theSun-Sentinel reports. The comment has since been deleted.
“He feels terrible and is very willing to apologize in person,” Rod Skirvin, a union leader and recently retired Coconut Creek detective, told the Sun-Suntinel. “We are going to speak to the chief on Tuesday when he goes back to work. There will be disciplinary repercussions for him.”
The police department is in talks with Valenti about next steps, but could not confirm as of Tuesday morning what disciplinary action will be taken.
Following the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., that left 17 people dead, Hogg has become a voice for stricter gun laws and an outspoken critic of the National Rifle Association.
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