The Idaho deputy whose viral TikTok video took aim at LeBron James is facing backlash.
It’s also being “dealt with internally,” according to the Bellevue Marshal’s Office.
Deputy Nate Silvester donned his uniform while he mocked the NBA giant for his since-deleted tweet in response to the officer-involved death of Ma’Khia Bryant, 16, in Columbus, Ohio. James took that tweet down and followed up, explaining that he was “desperate” for accountability.
Silvester took to TikTok to “humanize the badge,” one of his hashtag reads, by pretending to respond to an altercation and calling James for his opinion.
“LeBron, hey, yeah, it’s me again. Listen, I got two guys fighting over here and one of them’s got a knife and wants to stab the other guy, What do you think I should do? …They’re both Black…Deadly force is totally justified,” said Silvester, pondering the difference between a Black person killing another Black person and a white person killing a Black person. “I mean it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense… Sorry guys, you’re on your own. Good luck!”
The Bellevue Marshal’s Office released a statement on Tuesday (April 27):
“The Bellevue Marshal’s Office is aware of the extreme controversy regarding Deputy Marshal Silvester’s viral TikTok.The statements made do NOT represent the Bellevue Marshal’s Office.The Bellevue Marshal’s Office always demands that our Deputies engage with our citizens in a friendly and professional manner.This is NOT how we expect our Deputies to act on duty or use city time.This is a personnel issue that is being dealt with internally.”
“We would like to thank everyone that took the time to reach out to us.We greatly value our relationship within our wonderful community.”
Photo: Getty Images