Six Miami firefighters were fired after they defaced family photos of a black firefighter with a twine noose and "lewd and sexually explicit renderings." Fire Chief Joseph Zahralban called the incident a "hideous, distasteful act of hate."
According to ABC News, 11 firefighters had some involvement in the racist act. The six firefighters who lost their jobs were directly involved and included a captain, a lieutenant and four firefighters. The department is continuing to investigate and could discipline the other five firefighters who were indirectly involved.
Miami mayor Tomas Regalado added that "What happened is difficult to digest." It's not known yet if the firefighters will appeal their firings.
Photo: City of Miami Department of Fire-Rescue