Few things ruin a fun night faster than racism. One Kansas family found that out the hard way while celebrating a loved one’s birthday with a couple dozen people in a crowded Overland Park, Kansas Hooters restaurant earlier this week. One of the youngest partygoers wandered away from the group, as little ones sometimes do; when his grown-ups came to collect him, they reportedly encountered a vocal and unapologetic bigot.
“He basically said get that little ‘blank’ up off the floor,” (one) witness recounted. “The n-word started to get thrown around.”
He said he saw a child wander away from his family and, when the family member came to retrieve the preschool-aged kid, is when another customer used a racial slur and spat at the child.
He thought a physical altercation would follow, but instead police were called to the restaurant.
Kudos to this kid’s adults for calling the cops instead of cold-cocking this dude. But once police arrived, things took an appalling turn when the man allegedly tried to justify his racism by invoking his chosen career.
“I didn’t catch what the officer said to him, but his immediate response was ‘It’s ok, I’m a fireman,’ like that was supposed to blanket cover everything for him,” the witness said.
Apparently, that blanket has some holes; according to local law enforcement, being a firefighter does not grant one the right to spit on children and call them niggers, despite the unnamed first responder’s assertion.
Overland Park police have since handed over the case to the district attorney, with the recommendation that he face criminal charges.
Friday, Mar 16, 2018 · 6:47:49 PM +00:00 · Jessica Sutherland
A little late on this one, but on March 7, the firefighter in question, Terrence Jeremy Skeen, 42 was finally charged.
Terrence J. Skeen is charged in Overland Park Municipal Court with battery, assault and disorderly conduct.
The case also has been referred to the FBI for additional investigation, according to Overland Park police.
A spokesman for the city of Kansas City said that Skeen, who goes by Jeremy, has worked for the fire department since 2002, except for a year he took off for personal reasons in 2010.
His social media footprint has since been scrubbed, but not before the folks at Heavy tracked him down.
Sunday, Mar 4, 2018 · 12:54:28 AM +00:00 · JessicaSutherland
Another update: The suspect has been named as a Kansas City firefighter, Hooters offers a statement, and the child’s family speaks out:
The 3-year-old's grandfather spoke to KCTV5 News on Friday, but did not reveal his identity because he fears retaliation.
“My whole body just went numb," he said. "How could someone do that to a child? He’s a baby. He’s helpless. He didn’t deserve that.”
The fact that the suspect has been identified as a Kansas City fireman is not sitting with the family or the witness.
“Sick to my stomach," the grandfather said. "But, you know what? You have to pray for people like that.”
Click through for video.
Confirmed: charges are coming.
Overland Park police said Friday that the suspect, who was not named, will be charged.
Sgt. John Lacy, a police spokesman, confirmed the suspect is a first responder. Though he did not say which agency the suspect works for, he said the person did not work in Kansas.
Also: If the birthday party venue is the thing that upsets you most about this story, please reevaluate your priorities.