Liberty Corner Firefighter Sent Racist Tinder Messages; Resigns From Department

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — A Liberty Corner Volunteer Firefighter and a junior at the University of Alabama had sent racist Tinder messages to a girl who posted them on Twitter, causing a viral backlash from the public.

Kyle Harcourt, 20, who has been a member of the Liberty Corner Volunteer Fire Department for several years had sent the racist messages, which including the use of the "N word" to Emi Miller, a student of Virginia last week through Tinder.

Harcourt has since resigned from the department, Liberty Corner Volunteer Fire Department Kenneth White told Patch.

"The views expressed by Mr. Harcourt are not those of the Liberty Corner Fire Company or its members. We, as an organization, do not and will not tolerate this type of behavior," White said.

The racist comments began when Harcourt saw Miller with what he thought was a black man on her profile page and assumed he was her boyfriend.

"It was actually me with my black female roommate from New Jersey as well," Miller told Patch in an interview. "She was wearing a hat in the photo because it was raining. We went to the museum and snapped the quick pic."

As a result, Harcourt starts sending a slew of racist and anti- LGBT community comments to Miller.

"Ain't no one like a Ni--er lovin white girl"

"I come from Alabama where the only place we like our ni--ers is hanging from trees"

Miller woke up the next morning to find the messages and was shocked.

"I was offended. I was upset because he was talking about my roommate and the comment about lynching felt almost threatening," Miller said. "It was something I was not prepared to handle."

After some discussion with her roommate she decided to post the interaction on Twitter and Facebook tagging the University of Alabama and his former fraternity.

The University of Alabama did not condone Harcourt's actions and stated they have initiated a disciplinary review through the Office of Student Conduct.

Liberty Corner Volunteer Fire Company also responded to Harcourt's actions stating they do not condone his actions.

As a result the twitter posting went viral garnering the attention of several media outlets.

Harcourt has since sent an apology to NJ Advance Media stating:

"Words can not express how truly sorry I am for the hurt that my actions have caused. I take sole responsibility for my actions and recognize they are completely unacceptable. I have begun therapy through the help of professional counselors and will continue to do so. Once again, I am deeply sorry."

Miller was happy for his apology, and added that since going viral former Basking Ridge students who went to high school and middle school with Harcourt said he had bullied them and were racially insensitive to them.

"He apologized about the hurt his actions caused and taken responsibility for that and I appreciate him taking the first step and rectifying role of perpetuating racism and homophobia," Miller said. "I am hoping he will learn from this and not continue to do this."

(Images provided)

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