Georgetown posters reference Kirk killing as leftist gun club recruitment surfaces on campus

Georgetown University officials are investigating after posters attributed to the John Brown Gun Club appeared on campus, containing a slogan tied to the death of Charlie Kirk and a recruitment appeal. The flyer, posted on an activity board on Wednesday, read “Hey fascist! Catch!” and included a QR code linking to a page described as building a community that endorses decisive action rather than ceremonial rhetoric. The phrase echoes an accusation connected to Kirk’s death that has circulated in political circles since his assassination, which occurred at a Turning Point USA event in Utah on Sept. 10, 2025.

Shae McInnis, a Georgetown sophomore and treasurer of the school’s College Republicans Club, found the posters on campus Wednesday morning and told Fox News Digital that the message felt like a direct threat to conservatives and others who disagree with leftist viewpoints. “So, obviously I read this immediately as a threat, not only for me but for everyone on this campus,” McInnis said. “This is a direct threat against them. It means that there are students at this campus who want to see conservatives dead rather than engaging with their ideas.” Andrew Kolvet, spokesman for Turning Point USA and executive producer of the Charlie Kirk Show, flagged the flyers in a social media post, according to the report. Georgetown officials said the flyers have been removed and that they are examining the incident to ensure campus safety.

The materials are tied to the John Brown Gun Club, a group described by the Center for Counter Extremism as a far-left organization. Members of the club have been known to attend left-wing events armed in what they describe as protective capacity for protesters, and the group has been linked to anti-ICE activity in recent years. The John Brown Gun Club derives its name from abolitionist John Brown, who led armed actions in Kansas and at Harpers Ferry in the 1850s. The group’s structure includes chapters nationwide, and its members have sometimes been involved in high-profile protests and counter-protest dynamics that have drawn scrutiny from law enforcement and civil rights groups.

The broader context includes a series of violent incidents tied to political tensions on the right and left. The suspect in Kirk’s death, identified as Tyler Robinson, appeared via video from jail for his first appearance at Utah County Justice Court in Provo, Utah, on Sept. 16, 2025, in a proceeding covered by Reuters. In another instance cited in the notes accompanying the case, on July 4, a dozen people attacked the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas, firing 20 to 30 rounds from an AR-15-style rifle before the weapon malfunctioned. Federal authorities charged eleven suspects with offenses including multiple counts of attempted murder of federal agents and discharging a firearm in relation to a crime of violence; one of the suspects, Benjamin Song, has a history connected to anti-government activism and groups linked to the John Brown Gun Club, according to court filings and related reporting.

Song, described by some court documents as a long-time antifa agitator, participated in prior events where he was listed as security for the New Columbia Movement during a 2023 incident in Fort Worth; the New Columbia Movement later filed a lawsuit alleging Song pepper-sprayed its members during that event. Court records indicate Song had ties to the Elm Fork Chapter of the John Brown Gun Club, though criminal charges in that earlier confrontation were not pursued at the time. The New Columbia Movement has described Song’s involvement as part of its security cadre, and the lawsuit alleged aggressive action against its supporters.

Georgetown has repeatedly stressed that it does not tolerate calls for violence. A university spokesperson told Fox News Digital that the flyers were removed and that campus officials are investigating the incident and taking steps to protect the safety of the community. The school’s response comes amid a broader national conversation about political rhetoric and campus safety in the wake of high-profile partisan violence.

Researchers and observers note that the presence of highly charged, factional messaging on campus can amplify fears and provoke responses from students and staff who feel targeted. One Georgetown student, who requested anonymity, said the incident underscored concerns about how political conflicts play out in campus spaces and the potential for fringe elements to mobilize around provocative messaging. “It’s supposed to sharpen ideas based on what people disagree with,” the student said, quoting a previous sentiment used to defend robust debate. “But it’s not until I saw this poster early this morning that I ever felt directly threatened.”

The incident at Georgetown comes as political violence and threats remain a persistent concern in higher education and in national political life. Proponents of free speech emphasize the need for civil discourse and safety, while campus officials balance rights to assemble and advocate with the obligation to protect students and staff from intimidation and harm. The Georgetown administration said it would continue cooperating with law enforcement and campus security teams to review access to spaces where recruitment or propaganda materials are posted and to prevent similar threats from arising in the future.

As investigations unfold, campus leaders, political organizations, and student groups will likely reassess how they monitor, regulate, and respond to aggressive rhetoric that intersects with real-world violence. The events surrounding Charlie Kirk’s death have heightened sensitivity to threats and intimidation across the political spectrum, prompting universities to reexamine policies on postings, demonstrations, and the presence of armed or paramilitary-style groups on campus grounds. In Georgetown’s case, officials stressed the need to uphold safety while preserving open dialogue and the right to peaceful, lawful political activity.

Georgetown University has made clear that there is no tolerance for calls for violence or threats against the community. The university said it is reviewing the incident, coordinating with public safety officials, and taking steps to ensure the safety and well-being of students, faculty, and staff as investigations continue. The outcome could influence campus policy on extremist groups, material postings, and the balance between free expression and safeguarding campus spaces from intimidation or harm.