TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - The State Attorney's Office, FDLE, and local authorities are actively investigating a racist social media post made over the weekend involving Coach Taggart.
Florida State Attorney Jack Campbell has confirmed to WTXL that the State Attorney's Office, FDLE, the Leon County Sheriff's Office and the FSU PD are investigating a racist post showing head football coach Willie Taggart getting lynched.
Campbell says that the investigation is still in its early stages and there are no additional details to provide at this time.
The news of an investigation comes after an employee at Hilton Grand Vacations, who WTXL has identified as Tom Shand, was fired for sharing the post.
Employee fired after sharing racist post targeting FSU coach Willie Taggart
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - An employee at Hilton Grand Vacations has been fired after sharing a post depicting head football coach Willie Taggart getting lynched.
JUST IN: Tom Shand has been FIRED from his job at @HiltonGrandVac. The company sent a statement, in part saying: “His behavior was in violation of multiple company policies and the furthest example from being a reflection of our company’s values.” @abc27
— Stephen Jiwanmall (@SteveJiwanmall) November 26, 2018
The since-deleted post shows a picture of Coach Taggart with a noose around his neck. The post in question began making its rounds on social media after the Seminoles lost to the Florida Gators 41-14 on Saturday, ending FSU's 36-year bowl streak.
Now the person responsible, who WTXL has identified as Tom Shand, has been fired, according to officials at Hilton Grand Vacations.
Earlier Monday, Lauren George, a spokesperson for Hilton Garden Vacations, said that the unidentified team member was suspended, "while further action is being considered."
Monday afternoon, the company announced in a new statement that the employee responsible has been fired.
"Our concern regarding this situation has been a top priority. The person responsible for posting this information has been terminated. His behavior was in violation of multiple company policies and the furthest example from being a reflection of our company’s values."
Taggart is the first black head football coach in the school's history. He's received backlash after the university ended the season with a disappointing losing, 5-7, record.
On Sunday, FSU president John Thrasher spoke out, condemning the posts.
"A recent racist social media post aimed at our football coach is ignorant and despicable. I speak for the entire FSU community in expressing our disgust and extreme disappointment, and I am glad the state attorney is investigating. Coach Taggart has our full support and as true Seminoles know, he is a respected member of the FSU family," said President Thrasher.
Employee suspended after sharing racist post targeting FSU coach Willie Taggart
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - A team member at Hilton Grand Vacations has been suspended after creating and sharing a post depicting head football coach Willie Taggart getting lynched.
The since-deleted post, which WTXL has learned was created by a team member at Hilton Grand Vacations, shows a picture of Coach Taggart with a noose around his neck.
The post in question began making its rounds on social media after the Seminoles lost to the Florida Gators 41-14 on Saturday, ending FSU's 36-year bowl streak.
Now the person responsible for the racist post has been fired, according to officials at Hilton Grand Vacations.
"Our concern regarding this situation is a top priority. The Team Member responsible has been suspended while further action is being considered," said Lauren George, a spokesperson for Hilton Garden Vacations, which is based in Orlando. "We want to ensure all Team Members’ behavior is consistent with our values and code of conduct."
The company did not identify the employee.
Taggart is the first black head football coach in the school's history. He's received backlash after the university ended the season with a disappointing losing, 5-7, record.
FSU President responds to racist social media posts about Willie Taggart
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - FSU President John Thrasher is addressing racist posts aimed at head coach Willie Taggart that began circulating after the Seminole's 36-year bowl streak was broken by the Gators on Saturday.
The posts in question began making their rounds on social media after the Seminoles lost to the Florida Gators 41-14 on Saturday, ending FSU's 36-year bowl streak.
One such post includes a picture of Coach Taggart with a noose around his neck.
On Sunday, President Thrasher issued a statement on Facebook and Twitter about that post.
"A recent racist social media post aimed at our football coach is ignorant and despicable. I speak for the entire FSU community in expressing our disgust and extreme disappointment, and I am glad the state attorney is investigating. Coach Taggart has our full support and as true Seminoles know, he is a respected member of the FSU family," said President Thrasher.
1/2 A recent racist social media post aimed at our football coach is ignorant and despicable. I speak for the entire FSU community in expressing our disgust and extreme disappointment, and I am glad the state attorney is investigating.
— Florida State University (@floridastate) November 25, 2018
The president did not single out a specific post in the statement.
The account of the Facebook user who posted the photo of Coach Taggart has since been taken down.
