Outrage after police say white man bragging about running over and killing “some ni****r” on Snapchat is not a crime

KALB

Apparently there’s an emoji for everything—even your response to the senseless murder of an innocent man.

On Tuesday, Matthew Martin, of Hineston, Louisiana, reportedly posted a video online about his chance encounter with Sherell Lewis Jr. on the side of a highway. Under the video, Martin discussed the incident using the laughing emojis to illustrate his feelings about the fatal attack.

In one message, a red vehicle can be seen with the caption “y’all i just hit a whole guy on the highway,” with three laughing sob emojis.

When asked what Martin hit, he responded:

Martin: Some ni**er

Martin’s friend: How did the chevy take it?

Martin: F***ed it up pretty good lol

Martin’s friend: It’ll buff out. Did the guy die on impact or what

Martin: No he died otw to the hospital

Matthew Martin, of Hineston, Louisiana, after hitting & killing Rell Lewis w/ his pickup truck, posted on Snapchat that it was just “some nigger.” And proceeded to have a casual conversation about the damage hitting the nigger did to his truck. pic.twitter.com/beY9tII2W8 — Shaun King (@ShaunKing) May 31, 2018

Troopers from the Louisiana State Police and an ambulance responded to the area where they treated Lewis. He was then transported to the hospital where he later died while receiving treatment.

When news of Martin’s social media posts about the incident surfaced, KALB reports that the sheriff’s department issued a statement.

Sheriff Sam Craft states, “I am appalled at the content of the social media messages that were posted after the incident. This post is unacceptable and has no place in our society. The inflammatory words that were used were morally wrong. I have the utmost confidence in the Louisiana State Police and their ability to thoroughly investigate this incident. I encourage any citizen who has information regarding the accident to contact the Louisiana State Police – Troop E, Alexandria, La. (318) 487-5911”.

Although the incendiary language used in the social media post is morally and socially unacceptable, the post itself did not violate any criminal code within Louisiana law, according to Craft.

Sheriff Craft and the employees of the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office would like to offer our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Sherell Lewis Jr.

Social media reaction to the sheriff’s response over the death of Sherell Lewis was swift.

Black Lives matter so little to many Americans that after running over Rell Lewis with his pickup truck, this man proceeded to laugh and joke on Snapchat about killing “some nigger.” His friend, whose name I have not been able to find, also found the whole thing hilarious. https://t.co/zzFSScNKb9 — Shaun King (@ShaunKing) May 31, 2018

I’m beyond disgusted! My soul is f*cked up over this. How anyone can speak like that of another human being is incomprehensible. #RellLewis ??❤ #RestInPeace — Lady Jai (@LadyJai80) May 31, 2018

Heartbreak for Rell Lewis, obviously a sweet man, & all who loved him. Matthew Martin should be charged with manslaughter while reckless driving, hate crime for ghastly comments afterwards, sentenced to maximum extent of law. He & all his family should be ostracized by community. — Linda KAY Leamon (@DancingMare) May 31, 2018

Lewis’ sister, Shotoya Lewis-Ayers, shared her devastation over the loss of her brother with KALB stating that he had big plans and that he was an incredible uncle to her children.

Troopers said Sherell Lewis had stopped his vehicle on the highway in an attempt to remove debris in the roadway.