ESPN Reporter Makes Jameis Winston Joke During FSU Shooting

While the terrifying events of a lone gunman opening fire inside the FSU library and injuring three students were unfolding late Wednesday night, ESPN reporter Marisa Martin sent out an unfortunate tweet in an attempt to make a Jameis Winston joke, suggesting that the gunman was looking for the polarizing FSU quarterback.

Instead of the requisite "I've been hacked" excuse, Martin was defiant over her comment, saying she stood by her opinion. But that quickly changed after her account was suddenly deleted and she took to another account to then offer the requisite "I've been hacked" excuse.

ESPN, meanwhile, is distancing itself from Martin, saying she's only a student reporter.

See also: Shooting in FSU Library: Three Students Shot; Gunman Dead

While Martin's account was deleted, screen shots of the unfortunate tweet are floating about the internet:

The tweet was immediately met with backlash, but Martin was defiant at first:

Even as details of the shootings emerged, Martin remained defiant:

But following this tweet, Martin's account was deleted.

ESPN reporter jokes about FSU shooting, then deletes her Twitter acct after outrage pic.twitter.com/TVqY046xiU

— Jon Passantino (@passantino) November 20, 2014

An hour later, she popped up again on ESPNU's official Alabama Crimson Tide Twitter account, explaining that she had been hacked:

@marisam24 here just letting everyone at FSU know this account was compromised tonight. Sincere apologies and an investigation is underway

— AL Campus Connection (@UACampusConnect) November 20, 2014

Then whoever runs the Alabama account defended Martin and also went with the hacking excuse:

Those of you that know Marisa know she would never say anything disrespectful towards any school or any situation. Please understand that

— AL Campus Connection (@UACampusConnect) November 20, 2014

The account was hacked into and we are trying to remedy the situation as best as we can.

— AL Campus Connection (@UACampusConnect) November 20, 2014

That is all we have to say at this time. Prayers and thoughts out to Tallahassee.

— AL Campus Connection (@UACampusConnect) November 20, 2014

Then, in a final twist of irony:

We are trying to protect our students.

— AL Campus Connection (@UACampusConnect) November 20, 2014

However, turns out that Martin may be the one who Tweeted out the tweets from the Alabama account, even though it suggested it was tweeted out by someone else:

Person behind @UACampusConnect may be Martin herself. Her Facebook profile says she's the director of @ESPNU's Campus Connection for Alabama

— C.J. LeMaster (@CJLeMaster) November 20, 2014

Turns out, Martin's Facebook account has also vanished from the internet.

Meanwhile, ESPN was quick to point out that Martin is not an ESPN employee but a student reporter:

Clarification despite some confusion (@sportsnaut): Marisa Martin is not an @ESPN employee, but rather a student sports reporter for @ESPNU

— C.J. LeMaster (@CJLeMaster) November 20, 2014

The issue seems to point to an Alabama student trying to troll FSU football fans and failing miserably. The Twitterverse and internet at large have been calling for Martin to be let go from her position. And it's likely that will be the case.

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