Jason Vincent, news director at KQDS, the Fox-affiliate in Duluth, MN, has come under fire after he posted a message on his personal Facebook page this week in which he referred to a Native American man as an animal.

“Add drunk, homeless, Native American man to the list of animals that have wandered into my yard,” Vincent wrote on his Facebook page, according to the Duluth News Tribune.  “Then he proceed[ed] to wave at me and give me the peace sign when he spotted me in the window.  Wow.”

Vincent eventually deleted the message but not before a screenshot of it began circulating online.

Faced with a rising tide of criticism, Vincent issued an apology that was posted briefly on KQDS’s Facebook page.

“I have deleted the post and I certainly understand why it’s being taken out of context and viewed as offensive,” Vincent reportedly wrote.  “I would never insult the Native American community, especially since I myself am Native.  I did not realize how poor the choice of words were I used until I looked back and saw what I had posted.  I sincerely apologize for my words and to anyone offended by them.”

Vincent has been news director at KQDS since 2010.  Before joining the Fox-affiliate, he worked as an anchor and reporter at WDAY in Fargo and KEYC in Southern Minnesota.

KQDS general manager Jackie Bruenjes has yet to comment publicly on the incident.

[Duluth News Tribune]