Georgia Official Says Police Should ‘Shoot To Kill’ George Floyd Protesters
Artivia Tahir
Joe Allen, a Bibb County, Georgia, commissioner, wrote in a social media comment that police should “shoot to kill” George Floyd protesters in Milwaukee if “they continue to destroy,” according to The Macon Telegraph.
- Responding to a Facebook live stream from Fox 6 Milwaukee, Allen wrote in a comment that has since been deleted, “It’s now time to SHOOT to KILL them if they continue to destroy.”
- Several users on Twitter posted a screenshot of the comment, and Allen responded to a tweet calling him a coward by tweeting:
“I’m not that. I said it. And I replied to you why . And I stand by that. If my family or myself were confronted . And if it’s my family or myself or even you. Saving lives are my business.”
- In a later statement to the media, Allen commented:
“I regret my choice of words in the online comments and what it means to people,” he said. “It was a poor choice, and I’m sincerely sorry for these hurtful comments. We should be working to help all people and making sure we are together.”
Allen’s statements reflect the range of reactions to the worldwide protests triggered by the death of George Floyd, who died while in the custody of Minneapolis police.
