An NFL team has fired an employee after he made a social media post mocking the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The Carolina Panthers issued a statement on Thursday regarding the issue. WCNC-TV in Charlotte later identified the employee as Charlie Rock, the Panthers’ football communications coordinator.
“The views expressed by our employees are their own and do not represent those of the Carolina Panthers,” the Panthers’ statement said.
“We do not condone violence of any kind. We are taking this matter very seriously and have accordingly addressed it with the individual.”
Kirk, a popular-but-often controversial conservative political activist and media personality with more than 5.6 million followers on X, was gunned down at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah on Wednesday.
Kirk was speaking as part of Turning Point USA’s “American Comeback Tour” when he was shot in the neck while on stage. Blood immediately began pouring from his neck as onlookers reacted in horror. He was confirmed dead shortly after.
President Donald Trump was among those with strong reactions on Wednesday, but he wasn’t alone. Kirk’s supporters have responded with rage, horror and sadness while some with opposing views outwardly celebrated his murder on social media, further intensifying the situation.
MSNBC political analyst Matthew Dowd was fired Thursday after he made several insensitive comments in the wake of the murder.
Authorities are still searching for a suspect. A photo was released earlier on Thursday.
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