RUTHERFORD CO SHERIFF BLAMES BEYONCE’S SHOW ON SHOTS FIRED OUTSIDE HIS HOME
Rutherford County Sheriff Robert Arnold told reporters Beyonce’s Super Bowl halftime show may be to blame after several shots were fired outside his home Monday night.
Sheriff Arnold’s family was at home during the shooting, but no one was injured, according to police. The Murfreesboro Police Department is investigating.
At the time, Sheriff Arnold reportedly told officials he does not know why he was targeted and has not received any threats lately.
On Tuesday, he said, “There’s always a concern in any community of anybody doing anything at any time.”
“Do I feel like they did this because of where I live? I think that’s it. I don’t think of it being anywhere else,” Arnold continued during a press conference.
When asked by a reporter if he has given any thought to the possibility of law enforcement being targeted, Sheriff Arnold said, “Well, that’s what I actually thought about.”
“Once I kind of figured everything out you know, with everything that’s happened since the Super Bowl, and with law enforcement as a whole, I mean I think we have lost five to seven officers, five deputies and sheriff’s since Sunday’s Super Bowl. You know, that’s what I am thinking. You know here is another target on law enforcement,” said Arnold.
When asked to clarify what he meant by Super Bowl, he said, “well you have Beyonce’s video and how that’s kind of led over into other things it seems like, about law enforcement.”
Later Tuesday, Arnold responded to his earlier comments saying, “My comments reflect the violence and senseless killing of seven deputies in the U.S. since the show aired. My comments are an observation of the violence that has occurred but in no way is meant to offend anyone.”
In a press release, the sheriff’s department said Arnold relied on a statement from the National Sheriff’s Association that read, “The senseless killing of four law enforcement officers just this week – on the heels of the anti-police “entertainment” at the Sunday Super Bowl halftime show – reminds us that the men and women in law enforcement take a solemn oath that includes putting their lives on the line every day to protect our citizens. “
Beyonce’s performance during the Super Bowl 50 halftime show with Bruno Mars and Coldplay garnered both praise and some criticism.
During her routine, Beyonce’s backup dancers wore outfits similar to the style of the Black Panther party. Her dancers also formed an “X” on the field, which some took as a tribute to slain black activist Malcom X.
