South Australia Police (SAPOL) confirmed it is investigating an employee over social media posts that appeared to celebrate the fatal shooting of U.S. conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Kirk, 31, was shot and killed on Sept. 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University. The Facebook account under investigation allegedly posted a five-word comment, "That dude has a steady hand," accompanied by a fist emoji, and shared a news article about the shooting with the caption, "Amongst all Gaza, Ukraine, Trump news, sometimes something wonderful happens," according to reporting by Australian outlets. One post shared a widely circulated video of Kirk discussing gun policy and gun deaths.
A SAPOL spokesperson told media the social media activity is being examined under the state's Police Complaints and Disciplinary Act but declined to confirm the employee's role or provide details about the inquiry. The department did not say whether the posts were made from a work account, personal account or whether any employment action had been taken.
The alleged social media messages drew attention as investigators in the United States continued to process evidence in the homicide. Authorities arrested 22-year-old Tyler Robinson late Thursday after a 33-hour manhunt, and he is in custody in Utah. Utah Governor Spencer Cox said the suspect would be formally charged on Tuesday. FBI Director Kash Patel told Fox News that DNA evidence recovered on a towel wrapped around a discarded rifle matches Robinson, and that additional DNA from a screwdriver recovered on a campus rooftop has been "positively processed" and linked to the suspect. The rifle itself is being processed by federal authorities in Maryland.
Kirk, a conservative activist and organiser, had a wife and two young children. He was shot during a speaking engagement attended by students and community members at Utah Valley University. The campus and local law enforcement mounted an immediate response to the shooting and the subsequent search for a suspect.
The SAPOL investigation follows similar reviews in other jurisdictions when public servants are alleged to have made statements online that may contravene professional standards. Under the Police Complaints and Disciplinary Act, the state police can investigate conduct that may amount to misconduct, though the department did not specify potential breaches or next steps in this case.
Australian media reports that first highlighted the posts said one of the items remained publicly visible as of Tuesday. SAPOL has not confirmed whether the posts have since been removed or whether they originated from the employee now under review.
U.S. law enforcement officials continue to process forensic evidence and prepare charging documents in the Kirk homicide. Utah prosecutors and federal authorities have not released full details of the case beyond statements about the status of forensic testing and the suspect's arrest. The investigation by South Australia Police remains a separate internal inquiry into the conduct of an employee in relation to alleged social media commentary about the killing.