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
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?
FireRescue1 readers respond
- They are free to think and say whatever they please. However, when they post such mean-spirited thoughts online, it can make the people they serve feel vulnerable. “Would this person help me if they knew my politics?” In the absence of decency regarding the deceased, people should at least maintain some professionalism and refrain from posting every last thought online.
- There is no room for political comments on social media in the fire service, especially if it pertains to an assassination, shooting or any type of violence. If you are in the Fire Service, you represent the ENTIRE Fire Service to the public every second in any and everything you do, paid or volunteer, (I was both), the public is always watching you! Whatever you posts on social media will be there for an eternity, so choose your subject and post it wisely and always the truth. DO NOT post hatred, belittlement, disdain or any negative comments, they will come back to bite you very hard, may even cost you your job if you are career. Remember, we in the Fire Service are there to serve everyone equally and be a great example as to what America is all about, serving and protection each other with dedication to our job, compassion for everyone and love of our fellow man.
- I think everyone should remember that First Amendment rights belong to firefighters and EMS personnel as well and authorities should hesitate in trying to sanction people for expressing themselves in public spaces.
- People forget that they have the freedom to say what you want (although even now our First Amendment rights appear to be threatened), but when you are employed by someone, you are NOT free of the consequences of what you say. As a former chief public affairs officer, fire departments often fail to get ahead of such issues but you can practically predict them like clockwork. Surprisingly, many agencies have absolutely no social media policies whatsoever, not to mention basic policies referring to general conduct whether on or off duty. Policies and training on said policies may not be a cure all but will save many a suspension, administrative investigation and/or worse.
- Any first responder should not be posting about these type of incidents. No matter what discipline you are associated with, isn’t our responsibility to “serve and protect”?? We deal with human beings everyday in many situations. No one is above another when we are called to help. Why then would anyone in our respective professions make comments about another human being dying?? We don’t ask anyone’s political affiliation before helping them. It is irrelevant. Your social media posts should reflect the career you choose — helping others. If not, leave the service!
- I spent 31 years as a career firefighter. We all take an oath to protect ALL regardless of political, gender, race ideology. To celebrate the death of an individual is a direct violation of the oath. These individuals should be held accountable to the highest level.
- I believe in Freedom of Speech. That said, I also believe that you need to be held accountable for what you say if it is a contradiction to what your job responsibilities entail. Celebrating the murder or death of someone when you are literally in the life-saving business is a contradiction to your oath. It questions whether you are unbiased in your caregiving.
- Your own time, a personal page. What better demonstration of our First Amendment rights? Where is the outrage by the hypocrites after school shootings? After legislators are targeted and assassinated in Minnesota? It only becomes an issue when someone says they don’t care or reap what they sow. I didn’t see any celebration; I read agnosticism.
- They need to be fired and never be allowed to be in a position that requires compassion. They have none.
- First responders should be held to a higher standard. Even being a volunteer first responder, my department has a social media policy. If violated, it results in dismissal from the department. No place in public service for that crap.
- I just wish the same people angry about this had the same energy when those Minnesota lawmakers got shot. Please be consistent in your outrage.
- Firefighters are expected to be, and should be, calm, deliberate, and emotionally restrained. These qualities must be exhibited at all times. Whether on duty or off, we must display these qualities in an attempt to honor our chosen profession, our calling. While we do have the right to free speech, we should ponder how our speech will affect others as well as reflect on our profession.
- The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects freedom of speech. It states that “Congress shall make no law...abridging freedom of speech”. This right includes not only spoken and written words but also symbolic acts like protests and demonstrations. However, this freedom is not absolute and has limits, such as incitement to violence, true threats, defamation, fraud, and obscenity. So in some cases, freedom of expression is no longer applicable.
- I’m a retired career firefighter and I believe first responders should refrain from posting controversial media posts. In my opinion, any first responder stupid enough to post something on an account that can easily be linked to them and their position in the community deserves to lose their job.
- I believe that public/government employees need to be held accountable for their actions. They are supposed to represent the agencies in a manner that the public can feel safe when in need of their services. A person’s political movement should not be considered by those who are in a position of authority.
- I believe that public/government employees need to be held accountable for their actions. They are supposed to represent the agencies in a manner that the public can feel safe when in need of their services. A person’s political movement should not be considered by those who are in a position of authority.
- Absolutely NEEDS TO BE FIRED! What mindset do they have, knowing they can get in trouble AND STILL post hateful comments celebrating a murder!! They don’t need to be first responders to me or my family if their judgment is so hateful!! Fire them immediately.
- To belittle or make fun of a murder victim because you vote differently is so low and hateful you should be fired immediately and possibly prosecuted in law.
- If a post was made on a private, personal page, there is little the department can do about it. If it’s an official page well, you should know better, gents!
FireRescue1 is using generative AI to create some content that is edited and fact-checked by our editors.
