First responders and public employees in several cities have become the subject of investigations or have been placed on leave over social media posts reacting to the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Kirk, a close ally of President Donald Trump, was shot and killed on Sept. 10 at a Utah Valley University event. Authorities say a single shot was fired from a rooftop before the gunman escaped.
The suspect in Kirk’s death was taken into custody on Sept. 12.
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Nashville Fire Department
In Nashville, Tenn., WSMV reported the fire department put an employee on paid administrative leave after a post circulating online appeared to reference Kirk’s death.
The department said it opened an internal fact-finding review and would not comment further while it’s underway.
Prince George’s County Police Department
Prince George’s County (Md.) Police Department confirmed an internal investigation into an officer’s social media post that read, “When you’re spewing hate, hate will eventually rear its head and find you….”
WJLA reported the department said the post may violate general orders governing employee conduct on social media. There was no immediate indication that the officer’s duty status had changed.
New Orleans Fire Department
In New Orleans, WDSU reported that the fire department said it is investigating after an employee appeared to mock Kirk’s killing in a social media comment.
The comment allegedly said in part: “That bullet has a right to be there because it’s a gift from God.”
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Merle called the remark “unacceptable and disturbing,” adding that invoking God in the message “was even more disturbing.”
Louisiana Rep. Clay Higgins vowed to use congressional authority and pressure on tech platforms to seek lifetime bans for users who mocked Charlie Kirk’s killing. In an X post, he praised Kirk and said he’d target posts that “belittled” the assassination.
I’m going to use Congressional authority and every influence with big tech platforms to mandate immediate ban for life of every post or commenter that belittled the assassination of Charlie Kirk. If they ran their mouth with their smartass hatred celebrating the heinous murder of…
— Rep. Clay Higgins (@RepClayHiggins) September 11, 2025
Toledo Fire & Rescue
The Toledo (Ohio) Fire & Rescue is investigating a member over an alleged social media post about Kirk’s death, WTOL reported.
The department did not release details about the post, but comments on its recent social media pages claim a lieutenant wrote it and alleged Kirk was killed because of his political beliefs and affiliations.
A department spokesperson said all fire stations in Toledo were placed on lockdown on Sept. 12 as a precaution following online backlash to the comment. While no direct threats were made to personnel, leadership decided to restrict access to stations to keep members safe.
Maui Police Department
A Maui police officer has been placed on administrative duties and is under internal investigation after allegedly celebrating the assassination of Kirk on social media, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported.
The officer is accused of posting, “Charlie Kirk’s demise takes us one step closer to healing this country” in the aftermath of Kirk’s fatal shooting.
“We take this matter extremely seriously,” Maui Police Chief John Pelletier said. “We hold our employees to the highest standards of the policing profession, and when actions fall short of those standards, they are addressed immediately.”
What do you think about calling out first responders for their social media posts? Could it deepen division, increase scrutiny or even risk inciting violence against them?
EMS1 readers respond
- “Regardless of the social media posts, I believe everyone of those first responders would respond professionally, and immediately to any crisis. They would have saved the life if possible.”
- “Yes, there should be accountability when those entrusted in public safety violate the trust of the citizen’s they are sworn to protect and serve. It is vile that anyone, especially those held to a public office oath, would celebrate a calculated murder and feel entitled to boast about it. When someone in public safety or public office violates policies and trust, they should be removed, immediately.”
- “Even though we are all entitled to our first amendment right that does not mean to spread hatred and racism. We are held to a high standard as first responders. We are to teach everyone equally regardless of thier beliefs. Disagreeing with some one is one thing but to murder a human being in cold blood is another. Kirk’s kids will now grow up without a father and his wife will have to raise them herself. A husband and father were taken that day for hatred. This is not ok. It is sick and disturbing and I fear the world my grandchildren will grow up in. I have been a paramedic for the last 28 yrs and I have never seen the acts of violence that we see now. I am completely disgusted when we can rejoice the murder on a human.”
- “Fire them all immediately.”
- “Look people, you represent not only yourself when you post this trashy stuff about a dead man. You represent your agency and our job as a whole. You’ve got to remember people know what you do and who you work for. It makes us all look bad.”
- “Could it? Yes, it could deepen divisions, increase scrutiny and maybe risk inciting violence against (someone?) but it must be done. Everyone of these people who made comments are entitled to do so, even if the comments are offensive and vile, but not in a forum which allows anyone to associate them with their public employment role. Frankly, unless you’re posting anonymously, most of us have enough presence on SM to allow the connection to be made. If you post a comment against Kirk and then respond to a call at a home with clear evidence of their conservative views (e.g. Trump sign), what do you think the family will assume if the call goes badly? You can do as you wish but if you wish to be stupid, there’s going to be a consequence.”
- “All first responders need to be held accountable for any public post in regards to hate. Anyone who rejoices in seeing humanity die, can’t be trustworthy to treat a very diverse population. We take an oath to create no harm. This hate spewing is devastating to all future patients.”
- “They should be fired. I saw one the other day that made me sick. I was going to call in on her but had to leave As a first responder for 30 years I’d like to think the purpose is to help people. But after their words I’d sure not want them helping me.”
