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Police: First responder accused of using racial slur, spitting on child

The Republic | azcentral.com

A first responder in Kansas has been accused of using a racial slur and spitting on a child.

A man in Overland Park, Kan. will face charges after reportedly spitting on and calling a child a racial slur, according to a police statement released Friday.

The incident occurred at a Hooters on Feb. 26 and a witness reported to KCTV5 News that he overheard the firefighter identify himself to police.

“He basically said get that little ‘blank’ up off the floor,” the witness told KCTV5. “The n-word started to get thrown around.”

"Witnesses on scene reported the child was called a racial slur and the suspect spit on the child," Overland Park Police spokesman John P. Lacey said in a statement Friday.

Police had responded to a call of child battery.

Overland Park Police spokesman John P. Lacey told The Kansas City Star that the suspect was a first responder but didn't identify which agency he worked for.

Some Twitter users lashed out at the Overland Park Fire Department Friday, mistakenly thinking the suspect was a firefighter for the department. The story went viral Saturday, as people called for the first responder to be held accountable.

In a statement released Friday, Lacey clarified that "the suspect is not an Overland Park Firefighter as reported by some media outlets."

The Overland Park Fire Department called the incident a "disheartening story" and thanked police for clarification.

"We have confidence the DA's office will handle appropriately," the fire department tweeted.

Lacey said that the suspect will be charged in the incident but didn't give any details on what those charges will be. Officials asked people who have any information on the incident to contact police at 816-474-TIPS.