Mass. cop probed for allegedly "mocking" Charlottesville violence

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- A Massachusetts police department is investigating a Facebook comment purportedly made by an officer "mocking" the car attack in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Springfield Officer Conrad Lariviere had allegedly written on Facebook: "Hahahaha love this, maybe people shouldn't block road ways."

He was responding to a story about the death on Saturday of 32-year-old Heather Heyer, who was struck by a car that plowed into a crowd of people protesting the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. Nineteen others were injured. James Alex Fields Jr., 20, of Ohio, was arrested shortly after and charged with second-degree murder.

Lariviere also questioned whether the driver of the car that struck the crowd was a "nazi scumbag."

He responded to a critic who asked whether he had ever been struck by a car, saying he had been struck by someone "with warrants, but who cares right you ignorant brat live in a fantasy land with the rest of America while I deal with the real danger." 

Lariviere later apologized, saying in a Facebook conversation with Masslive.com that he's a "good man who made a stupid comment." 

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

"I took immediate steps to initiate a prompt and thorough internal investigation," Barbieri said via email. "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."  

Democratic Mayor Domenic Sarno later released a statement saying, "There is no place for this in our society, let alone from a Springfield Police Officer."

CBS Springfield affiliate WSHM-TV reports Springfield City Council President Orlando Ramos issued a statements saying he is "disgusted by the officer's comments mocking what should be considered a domestic terrorist attack. It's concerning that someone who has taken the oath to serve and protect Springfield residents would praise the violent actions of white supremacists.  I trust that Commissioner Barbieri will take swift action; and send a message that this garbage will not be tolerated."         

Lariviere told Masslive.com he is not a racist.

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

Lariviere was a member of the Springfield Police Academy's 2014 graduating class. A message left by The Associated Press at a listed number for a Conrad Lariviere in Springfield was not immediately returned.