Does it count as a police chase?': MSNBC under fire for insensitive tweet mocking moment cop was DRAGGED along the road by a suspect's carThe tweet with a video embedded in it created a firestorm from commentersAfter a backlash online the network hastily removed it from TwitterMSNBC then tweeted an apology saying it was ' inappropriate' and wrongTweet was about suspect caught on camera dragging an officer under a car By Belinda Robinson For Dailymail.com and Chris Pleasance
Published: 08:48 EST, 17 May 2015 | Updated: 10:56 EST, 17 May 2015
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The news organization MSNBC landed in hot water over a provocative tweet it posted which appeared to mock a police officer who was dragged along the street by a suspect.
The tweet with a video embedded in it, created a firestorm from commenters on social media and news sites. It read: 'Does it count as a police chase if you drag the cop along for the ride?'
But shortly after a backlash ensued online on Saturday, the network hastily removed it from Twitter and Facebook, followed by an apology acknowledging that it had been 'inappropriate.'
MSNBC then tweeted: 'A video tweeted from MSNBC Friday evening has been removed. The material was inappropriate. It should not have been posted and we're sorry.'
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Offensive: The tweet with a video embedded in it created a firestorm from commenters on the MSNBC website and social media. It read: 'Does it count as a police chase if you drag the cop along for the ride?'
Apology: Shortly after a backlash ensued online, the Tweet was hastily removed by the network which then sent out an apology acknowledging that it had been 'inappropriate.'
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Backlash: Ryan Lynch, an angry commenter wrote: 'How many cops have died this month in the line of duty? It's police week and you thought this was a good idea? Again, not good enough'
Body Cam shows officer being dragged along by a driver
However, Ryan Lynch, an angry commenter wrote: 'How many cops have died this month in the line of duty? It's police week and you thought this was a good idea? Again, not good enough.'
Another user, Charlotte Dobson replied to Lynch: 'Umm being a cop isn't even close to being the most dangerous occupation, nd (sic) far more citizens r killed by cops than cops killed by.
Adding: 'Citizens. Just thought u should know the facts.'
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The tweet and video was also featured on nowthisisnews.com and was first criticized by websites Progressives Today and The Gateway.
It was about body camera footage taken by a police officer which showed the moment he was dragged across a gas station forecourt and into the road after reaching into a suspect's car to take they keys out of the ignition.
The officer, from Savannah-Chatham in Georgia, was taking part in a routine stop May 9 after being called to the reports of shoplifting at a Shell gas station.
After he arrived a shop assistant pointed out Brandon Adams, 23, who was sitting in his car outside, saying he had handed over a fake check a few weeks earlier.
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Crime: Brandon Adams, 23 (pictured), was being questioned over a suspected shoplifting in Georgia when a police officer asked him to remove his keys from the car, but he refused
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Evidence: Body camera footage taken from the scene shows the cop, who is part of the Savannah-Chatham force, reaching into the car to take the keys when Adams hits the gas
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The officer, who has not been named, is then dragged across the forecourt and into the road. Adams escaped, but handed himself in, and is now facing charges for assault on the officer
The cop, who has not been named, can be seen speaking to Adams while the man tries to make a call on his cell phone.
The officer tells Adams 'OK, real fast, for safety reasons you gotta pull the keys out of the car,' but Adams refuses, saying he is trying to call his brother.
The cop repeats his request for Adams to take the keys from the ignition, but after he refuses several times, the officer reaches in to remove the keys himself.
Without warning Adams suddenly steps on the gas, with the door still open and the cop clinging to the inside of the car.
The footage shows the police officer being dragged across the forecourt and out into the road before releasing his grip, causing him to tumble down the street.
The camera turns over multiple times as the officer rolls, eventually coming to a stop with his handcuffs laying on the tarmac in front of him.
According to the New York Daily News, he was treated at the scene for minor injuries.
Meanwhile Adams has handed himself in, and is now facing charges of aggravated assault on a police officer and felony obstruction of an office.
According to the FBI, the number of police officers killed in the line of duty spiked to 51 in 2014, up almost 89 per cent from the 27 cops who were killed in 2013, a record low year, MSNBC reports.
The nation has lost several police officers in the line of duty this month. These include officers Benjamin Deen, 34, and Liquori Tate, 24, who were making a traffic stop when they were shot in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. And New York police officer Brian Moore who was shot by a suspect.
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