Sampson deputy fired after EBT comment on Facebook

A Sampson County sheriff's deputy who disparaged people involved in a weekend shooting lost his job on Tuesday.

Posted 7:00 p.m. Jul 5, 2016 — Updated 8:42 p.m. Jul 5, 2016

CLINTON, N.C. — A Sampson County sheriff's deputy who disparaged people involved in a weekend shooting lost his job on Tuesday.

According to the Sampson County Sheriff's Office, deputies trying to break up several fights at the Lakewood Country Club early Sunday morning suffered cuts and vehicle damage, and one man involved in the fighting died of his injuries.

In response to a Facebook post that the fight participants "won’t be getting their deposit back,” Deputy Charles Patrick Foreman replied, “It don’t matter, it was paid for on EBT.”

EBT stands for electronic benefit transfer and is used to issue food stamps.

"The Sheriff’s Office is dependent upon the public trust to be effective in its mission. The men and women of the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office work too hard to earn the trust and respect of the citizens. I do not condone or tolerate any behavior on the part of my employees that brings the integrity of the Sheriff’s Office into question,” Sheriff Jimmy Thornton said.

According to officials, Anthony King of Roseboro, died shortly after noon Monday from injuries he sustained in the fights. Other victims have been identified as Star Royal of Roseboro, Mary Denise Rich of Huntington, NY, and Daniel Cleveland Cooper of Salemburg.

The surviving victims had injuries that included head trauma, stab wounds and gunshot wounds, authorities said.

“You had close to a hundred people here. You had alcohol involved, which is always a recipe for disaster when you have that many people and alcohol involved,” said Captain Eric Pope with the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office.

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