Cincinnati Bengals star Joe Burrow’s charitable foundation reportedly dismissed an advisory board member after he shared a number of social media posts appearing to celebrate the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Kirk, a close ally of Donald Trump, was shot and killed at the age of 31 while hosting a Q&A event with students at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. The authorities now have a suspect, Tyler Robinson, in custody.
The shooting sent shockwaves across the globe with many condemning the assassination. However, some have seemingly applauded the murder, including Judge Ted Berry.
The Hamilton County Municipal Judge made a series of remarks in a Facebook thread, which appeared to welcome the death of the political commentator.
‘Rest in Hatred & Division!’ Berry first posted, replying to a Facebook memorial post for Kirk.
The judge doubled down after another social media user said that the United States was left divided over Kirk’s death but that they were open to learning more.
Cincinnati Bengals star Joe Burrow’s charitable foundation axed an advisory board member
Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist, was shot and killed at Utah Valley University this week
Berry responded that Kirk ‘spewed hate and division,’ before adding: ‘How’s he feel about gun violence & gun control in Hell, now?’
He later claimed that because of Kirk’s actions ‘many black colleges are receiving hateful bomb threats, etc.’
The Joe Burrow Foundation announced in a statement Friday night that an advisory board member had been dismissed from their position due to ‘inappropriate remarks.’ While the organization’s statement didn’t name Berry, FOX19 NOW reported that it was the judge who had been removed.
‘The Joe Burrow Foundation was founded on the belief that everyone has the responsibility to do good,’ the foundation said.
‘We have terminated an advisory board member that made inappropriate remarks in light of recent events and they are no longer associated with the foundation. Their comments do not reflect our values or our mission. We are committed to accountability and respect for all.’
Berry was not immediately available for comment when contacted by the Daily Mail. The Joe Burrow Foundation has also been contacted for comment.
Ohio state representative Adam Mathews has also called for Berry to immediately resign in the wake of his ‘shocking and completely unacceptable’ comments.
‘A judge must be a pillar of fairness and impartiality in our community,’ said the Republican representative in a press release.
Judge Ted Berry was reportedly removed from the Joe Burrow Foundation board
The municipal judge shared social media posts which appeared to celebrate Kirk’s murder
‘To see a sitting judge post comments like “Rest in Hatred & Division!”, ask “How’s he feel about gun violence & gun control in Hell, now?”, and then celebrate the race of the killer by stating “So, a white guy killed him! Color it KARMA!” is shocking and completely unacceptable. This is not the conduct of a neutral arbiter of the law; it is the behavior of a political activist who has abandoned the core principles of his office.’
NFL quarterback Burrow established the foundation in 2022 with the aim of helping children with mental illness and those experiencing food insecurity. The organization also strives to support to the underprivileged and underserved in a variety of ways.
Since its launch, the Joe Burrow Foundation has distributed over $2million in Do Good Grants to organizations in Ohio, Louisiana, Kentucky, and Indiana.
Kirk’s alleged assassin Tyler Robinson made chilling remarks about the conservative commentator during a family dinner in the lead-up to his murder, Daily Mail reported on Friday.
Robinson, 22, brought up Kirk’s visit to Utah Valley University on September 10 and spoke of his dislike for the 31-year-old MAGA influencer, family members told investigators.
‘They talked about why they didn’t like him and the viewpoints that he had,’ Utah governor Spencer Cox revealed in a press conference this morning.
The family members also told police Robinson had described Kirk as ‘full of hate and spreading hate’.
Robinson’s comments raised a red flag among his family – so much so that they told police about the conversation following his arrest for Kirk’s murder.
Kirk leaves behind his wife, Erika Frantzve, and a son, 16 months, and a daughter, three
Tyler Robinson seen in his mugshot following his arrest over the shooting of Charlie Kirk
It was Robinson’s father who ultimately turned his son into law enforcement.
Sources told the Daily Mail that Robinson confessed to his father, Matt Robinson, who owns and operates a construction company.
Matt had recognized his son in photos shared by the FBI and confronted him about the shooting.
When Robinson confessed, his dad urged him to turn himself in.
The 22-year-old reportedly told his dad that he would rather kill himself than turn himself in, but was persuaded to speak with a local youth minister, who also works with the US Marshals Service.
Cox said Friday that a family member of Robinson’s ‘reached out to a family friend, who contacted the Washington County Sheriff’s Office with information that Robinson had confessed to them or implied that he had committed the incident’.
He was taken into custody Thursday night.
Robinson’s family members told police the 22-year-old had become ‘more political in recent years’, Cox said.
Kirk, 31, was shot dead while speaking in front of around 3,000 people at a Q&A session
They also confirmed Robinson had a grey Dodge Challenger – matching the description of the suspect’s vehicle.
Robinson’s roommate also directed officers to the suspect’s Discord platform.
The roommate said Robinson had messaged him asking to retrieve his rifle, wrapped in a towel in some bushes, Cox said.
Robinson now faces charges of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, and obstruction of justice, according to a probable cause affidavit.
Cox said prosecutors will pursue the death penalty if he is convicted.
The motive for the assassination remains unclear.
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