Suns beat writer fired after social posts about Charlie Kirk shooting

A Suns beat writer was dismissed Thursday after a social media thread he posted about the fatal shooting of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk drew widespread backlash.

Gerald Bourguet, who covered the Phoenix Suns for PHNX Sports, wrote a series of posts on X after Kirk was shot and killed at an event at Utah Valley University. In one post, Bourguet wrote, "'Political differences' are not the same thing as spewing hateful rhetoric on a daily basis, and refusing to mourn a life devoted to that cause is not the same thing as celebrating gun violence." In another, he wrote, "If you’re saddened by today’s 'political violence,' horrified by the video, or repulsed by my response, ask yourself why your reaction was different when it came to school shootings, mass deportations or the HUNDREDS of videos of horrific murders in Gaza (which Kirk cheered on)."

PHNX Sports, part of the ALLCITY Network, announced the separation in a post on X without naming Bourguet. "The opinions expressed by our employees do not represent the views of PHNX or ALLCITY Network," the company wrote. "We take matters involving violence very seriously and are committed to ensuring that ALLCITY remains a safe place for our employees and community alike. We have addressed this matter with the individual and made the decision to part ways." The Arizona Republic confirmed that Bourguet was the reporter who was fired.

Bourguet's thread drew widespread attention and criticism on X and other platforms. He was the second person associated with professional sports to lose a job after posting about the Kirk shooting: the Carolina Panthers said Thursday it had fired communications coordinator Charlie Rock for an "insensitive social media post." The Panthers said the views expressed by employees are their own and that the team does not condone violence.

Kirk was shot while attending an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. The killing prompted statements and reactions across the sports world. Major League Baseball's New York Yankees held a moment of silence before their game against the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday night. San Francisco Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart described the shooting as "disgusting and sad" in a social media post.

The firings illustrate the sensitivity organizations face when employees comment publicly on violent events, particularly when commentary is seen as lacking empathy or expressing political judgment about a victim. PHNX Sports and the Carolina Panthers emphasized that the individuals' posts did not reflect their organizations' views and that they had taken action after reviewing the conduct.

PHNX Sports did not release additional details about internal deliberations or whether Bourguet's social accounts would be monitored or reinstated. Bourguet's professional profiles and previous reporting identified him as the Suns beat writer for PHNX Sports prior to his dismissal. The shooting and its aftermath continued to prompt discussion about social media, journalism standards and organizational responses to employee commentary on public tragedies.