A Phoenix sports outlet said it has parted ways with its lead Phoenix Suns writer after a series of social media posts about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Gerald Bourget, identified by the outlet as the lead Suns beat writer, posted on X following Kirk’s killing Wednesday at Utah Valley University, writing that he was “refusing to mourn” and calling the killing the “Holy Grail of Ironies.” Bourget also described Kirk as a “bigot” who “spread genocidal propaganda” and said he was unconcerned if others found his response “insensitive or poor timing,” because he would not “decline to respect an evil man who died.”
The company, posting on X under the PHNX and ALLCITY Network names, said Thursday that the opinions of employees “do not represent the views of PHNX or ALLCITY Network” and that it had “made the decision to part ways.” The statement added that the outlet takes “matters involving violence very seriously” and is committed to maintaining a safe environment for employees and the community.
Police confirmed Friday that they had arrested a suspect in Kirk’s killing. Authorities identified the suspect as Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old Utah resident. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said a family member of Robinson contacted a family friend who then reached out to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office with information that Robinson had confessed to them or implied he had committed the incident.
The outlet’s dismissal follows other personnel moves in the wake of social media commentary about the killing. A Carolina Panthers staffer was also terminated after posting similar comments online, according to reports. The Phoenix sports outlet did not identify disciplinary steps taken beyond its decision to sever ties with the Suns writer.
Kirk is the founder of Turning Point USA and a prominent conservative media figure. News of his death and the arrest prompted widespread online reaction and scrutiny of responses by public figures and media employees.
The outlet’s statement emphasized its position that employee opinions are personal and reiterated a commitment to safety; it did not provide additional details about the timeline of its internal review or whether further staffing changes would follow. Police and state officials have said the investigation into the shooting is ongoing.