CPD's Sgt. Walker Fired
Demonstrators exchanged high fives, hugged, and jumped in the air with excitement. They turned up the music, and danced as passing motorists occasionally honked.
Someone with a megaphone had just announced the firing of Columbia Police Sgt. Chad Walker.
Gathered in front of the South Carolina State House, protestors planned to march to the Vista police headquarters at 8 p.m., on Monday night, but at 8:02 Columbia police tweeted a statement announcing the dismissal of Walker, made infamous for his actions at Bar None in Five Points on Saturday night.
Justin Hunt, with Stand as One, was surprised with the announcement — but at the same time felt the department had their backs against a wall, “They knew that they were going to get more attention, so they had no choice really - to address that particular situation,” he says, “We are used to having to beg and plead for simple justice.”
The incident was filmed by multiple witnesses and Hunt credits the resulting wave of social media and national news coverage for the swift dismissal of Walker. After the celebrations and despite the announcement, protesters continued with their march, shifting their focus to officer Kevin Davis, who shot and killed Joshua Ruffin at Eau Claire high school in April.
“There is still a lot to fight for,” says Hunt.
