Georgetown Campus Sees Recruiting Flyers Tied to Kirk Killing
Flyers tied to the John Brown Gun Club reference Charlie Kirk’s death; Georgetown investigates threats and campus safety amid broader concerns over political violence.
Georgetown University is investigating after flyers tied to the John Brown Gun Club appeared on campus, referencing the death of Charlie Kirk. Kirk, a conservative commentator and founder of Turning Point USA, was killed on Sept. 10 at a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University, an act alleged to have been carried out by a left-wing ideologue. The posters are linked to a group that the Center for Counter Extremism has described as a far-left organization.
The flyers, found on Georgetown's student activity boards early Wednesday by Shae McInnis, a Georgetown sophomore who serves as treasurer of the College Republicans, included language directed at conservatives and a QR code linking to a page described as promoting a community that rejects ceremonial resistance and encourages those who want to make a real change to sign up. McInnis said the message felt like a direct threat to conservatives and to campus participants, underscoring the tense political climate on campuses nationwide.
Georgetown University said it has zero tolerance for violence or threats and that the flyers were removed. The school said it is investigating the incident and working to ensure the safety of the campus community.
John Brown Gun Club is described by the Center for Counter Extremism as a far-left group. Members of the organization have shown up armed at left-wing events to protect protesters from counter-protesters, and the group has been tied to anti-ICE violence. The network has drawn attention for past incidents, including ties to the Elm Fork Chapter and actions that drew federal scrutiny in recent years. In July 2025, federal authorities charged multiple suspects in an attack on the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas, including allegations of firing an AR-15-style rifle and vandalizing ICE vehicles while attempting to lure agents into a confrontation. One of the suspects is Benjamin Song, a longtime activist associated with the John Brown Gun Club who is wanted in connection with the Alvarado case. A court filing indicates Song had ties to the Elm Fork unit, though prosecutors have not charged him in the Georgetown incident.
Charlie Kirk had warned in online posts months before the murder that there was an assassination culture spreading on the left, a remark cited by observers as part of the ongoing discourse around political violence on campuses. The killing and subsequent coverage have prompted discussions about safety, rhetoric, and the line between protest and violence in U.S. politics.
Georgetown officials reiterated that the university condemns violence and threats and is reviewing campus safety protocols. A university spokesperson said the flyers have been removed and that the administration will continue its investigation and take appropriate steps to protect the community.
As the broader network of individuals and groups linked to the case comes under scrutiny, Georgetown and other universities are reassessing how to balance free expression with campus safety and the potential for real-world harm.