Carolina Panthers dismiss communications coordinator after alleged social media posts about Charlie Kirk shooting
Team says employee's views do not represent the organization after posts that appeared to mock the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk
The Carolina Panthers have dismissed a member of their communications staff after social media posts that allegedly mocked the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
According to reporting by the Charlotte Observer and screenshots circulating online, the Panthers removed Charlie Rock from his role as the team's Football Communications Coordinator following posts on his Instagram account that appeared to respond to Kirk's killing. Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was shot while speaking at a Q&A event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday.
Images shared on social platforms and published accounts appear to show Rock reposting a video of Kirk in which Kirk is quoted saying, "it's worth to have a cost of unfortunately some gun deaths every single year," and adding the comment, "Why are yall sad? Your man said it was worth it..." Other screenshots posted online reportedly showed Rock sharing the song "Protect Ya Neck" by the Wu-Tang Clan after Kirk was shot in the neck.
In a statement released Thursday, the Panthers said: "The views expressed by our employees are their own and do not represent those of the Carolina Panthers. We do not condone violence of any kind. We are taking this matter very seriously and have accordingly addressed it with the individual." The team did not disclose further personnel or disciplinary details.
The Charlotte Observer's Scott Fowler reported the firing, and DailyMail.com reported it had reached out to the Panthers for comment. The accounts and screenshots alleging the posts were shared widely on social media after the shooting.
According to Rock's LinkedIn profile, he joined the Panthers as an intern in June 2024 and was promoted to Football Communications Coordinator in June 2025. The University at Albany graduate lists a bachelor's degree in Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management and previous communications roles with the Chicago Bears, the Los Angeles Rams and PR staff for the College Football National Championship.
Kirk's shooting on Wednesday drew immediate national attention and condemnation; details of the police investigation and any potential suspects have been the subject of separate coverage by law enforcement and news organizations. The Panthers' statement emphasized the organization does not condone violence and said the matter had been addressed internally.
The Panthers did not provide additional comment on the status of Rock's employment beyond the statement, and no independent confirmation from the team about the specific social media posts was included in the team's release. Media organizations covering the developments cited the circulating screenshots and reporting by regional outlets as the basis for accounts of the posts and the subsequent personnel action.