Beach Officer Fired Over Alleged Facebook Remarks About Trayvon Martin

DAYTONA BEACH (CBSMiami/AP) – There is no doubt that social media played a big role before, after and during the trial of George Zimmerman, and one Daytona Beach safety officer has been fired over comments he is accused of making on Facebook regarding 17-year-old Trayvon Martin's death.

Todd Snipes, according to the Daytona Beach News-Journal, was fired Friday for unprofessional conduct.

Snipes allegedly worte a post on Facebook, after the not-guilty verdict in Zimmerman's trial, that read: "Another thug gone. Pull up your pants and be respectful. Bye bye thug r.i.p."

County officials say Snipes showed "horrible judgment made worse during a racially charged atmosphere."

Snipes was a Volusia lifeguard for 24 years and a law enforcement officer for 15. An official said Snipes apologized but that his remorse was "not in any way proportionate to this damage."

The verdict in the trial of Zimmerman, the 29-year-old who fatally shot unarmed Miami Gardens teen Trayvon Martin, sparked a backlash of social media comments and protests nationwide.

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