A police officer is being investigated after posting a Facebook comment appearing to celebrate people being killed and injured during violence in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Conrad Lariviere, who works in Massachusetts' Springfield Police Department, commented saying “love this” on a story about a 32-year-old woman being killed and 19 others injured when a car ploughed into crowds during clashes between white supremacist groups and anti-racism campaigners.

“Hahahaha love this, maybe people shouldn’t block road ways,” he wrote below an article about those injured in the incident.

Referring to the driver of the vehicle, he wrote: “How do you know he was a Nazi scumbag? Stop being part of the problem.”

As other Facebook users responded in disbelief and criticised his comments, asking if he had ever been hit by a car, Mr Lariviere replied: “Actually I’ve been hit by a sh*tbag with warrants but who cares right you ignorant brat live in fantasy land with the rest of America while I deal with the real danger."

Springfield Police Commissioner John Barbieri said he had received a complaint about the comment and opened an internal investigation.

"I received notification of this Facebook post earlier today via email from a complainant,” he said.

“The post is purportedly from Springfield police officer. I took immediate steps to initiate a prompt and thorough internal investigation.

"If in fact this post did originate from an officer employed with the Springfield Police Department, this matter will be reviewed by the Community Police Hearings Board for further action."

Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, a Democrat, later released a statement saying: "I just got done issuing a statement this morning on how upsetting the tragic incidents were in Charlottesville, Virginia and one of our own officers does this? Unbelievable!

“There is no place for this in our society, let alone from a Springfield Police Officer. I stand by and commend Commissioner John Barbieri's steps for a thorough internal investigation and review by our Community Police Hearing Board to pursue the appropriate discipline against said officer."

Speaking to MassLive, Mr Lariviere confirmed he was a police officer and said he regretted making “a stupid comment about people blocking streets”.

Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Show all 9 1 /9 Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Protesters clash and several are injured White nationalist demonstrators clash with counter demonstrators at the entrance to Lee Park in Charlottesville, Virginia. A state of emergency is declared, August 12 2017 Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Trump supporters at the protest A white nationalist demonstrator walks into Lee Park in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017. Hundreds of people chanted, threw punches, hurled water bottles and unleashed chemical sprays on each other Saturday after violence erupted at a white nationalist rally in Virginia. AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville State police stand ready in riot gear Virginia State Police cordon off an area around the site where a car ran into a group of protesters after a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Militia armed with assault rifles White nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the 'alt-right' with body armor and combat weapons evacuate comrades who were pepper sprayed after the 'Unite the Right' rally was declared a unlawful gathering by Virginia State Police. Militia members marched through the city earlier in the day, armed with assault rifles. Getty Images Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Statue of Confederate General Robert E Lee The statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee stands behind a crowd of hundreds of white nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the 'alt-right' during the 'Unite the Right' rally 12 August 2017 in Charlottesville, Virginia. They are protesting the removal of the statue from Emancipation Park in the city. Getty Images Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Racial tensions sparked the violence White nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the 'alt-right' exchange insults with counter-protesters as they attempt to guard the entrance to Lee Park during the 'Unite the Right' rally Getty Violence on the streets of Charlottesville A car plows through protesters A vehicle drives into a group of protesters demonstrating against a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. The incident resulted in multiple injuries, some life-threatening, and one death. AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Rescue personnel help injured people after a car ran into a large group of protesters after an white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville President Donald Trump speaks about the ongoing situation in Charlottesville, Virginia from his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey. He spoke about "loyalty" and "healing wounds" left by decades of racism.

"Never would I want someone to get murdered,” he added. “I am not a racist and don't believe in what any of those protesters are doing.

“I'm a good man who made a stupid comment and would just like to be left alone."

The car attack took place amid clashes at a “Unite the Right” march in Charlottesville. Video footage showed a grey Dodge Charger speeding into crowds of anti-racist campaigners.

Heather Heyer, a 32-year-old paralegal, was killed after being hit by the vehicle.