A reporter for the Florida political news outlet Florida Politics was suspended Wednesday after he sent a lawmaker a text asking whether the congressman’s position on campus carry would change following the shooting of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk at a Utah college event.
According to screenshots posted on the social platform X by Rep. Randy Fine and by Florida Politics publisher Peter Schorsch, reporter AG Gancarski texted Fine as word of the shooting was spreading: “Good afternoon - was wondering if Charlie Kirk getting shot affects your position on campus carry? If gun control had been in play could the tragedy have been avoided?” Fine’s public reply, also posted on X, said he had learned of the shooting 23 minutes earlier and wrote, “I am repulsed that you would even think to ask a political question when all anyone should be doing is praying for his survival. Never contact me again.”
Within about an hour of Fine’s post, Schorsch announced on X that Gancarski had been “immediately suspended.” In a follow-up message, Schorsch said he could not continue as a critic of extremism on both left and right if those who worked with him “lack the basic empathy in horrific situations.” He said he had urged the reporter to stop posting on social media while the outlet addressed the situation.
Screenshots captured by other users and reported accounts show Gancarski defending his question in a since-deleted post on X, writing that it was a “valid question given the congressman ran a bill that would have allowed ‘campus carry.’” He added, “I stand by the question. Tragedy is what ultimately tests policy positions.” Gancarski’s X account was set to private, and he declined to comment when contacted by media outlets.
The exchange drew attention because Fine earlier this year was the main sponsor of a bill to permit concealed carry on college campuses in Florida. That measure was voted down at the committee level. In Utah, where the shooting occurred, state law generally permits open carry on public university grounds and college campuses with limited exceptions.
The suspension comes amid heightened sensitivity in media coverage following the shooting, which occurred at an event at Utah Valley College in Orem and left Kirk with a fatal gunshot wound. The incident prompted immediate debate about gun policy, media responsibility and the timing of political questions in the immediate aftermath of a violent event.
The disciplinary action at Florida Politics followed a separate personnel decision at another outlet. On Wednesday, MSNBC announced it had parted ways with political analyst Matthew Dowd after he made comments on air linking Kirk’s rhetoric to an environment that can lead to violent acts. Dowd said during live coverage that Kirk “is constantly sort of pushing this sort of hate speech aimed at certain groups,” and that “hateful thoughts lead to hateful words, which then lead to hateful actions.” MSNBC’s move underscored the rapid consequences for on-air and online commentary in the wake of the shooting.
Media organizations said they were reviewing coverage decisions and employee conduct as the story developed. The publisher of Florida Politics said the suspension was intended to allow the outlet to address the situation internally and to preserve the tone he said he strives to maintain in the publication’s coverage.
Rep. Fine’s office did not immediately provide further comment beyond the exchange posted on X. Florida Politics did not provide a timeline for the suspension or say when it might be lifted. Lawmakers, journalists and the public continued to react on social media and in news reports as details of the shooting and its broader political repercussions unfolded.