Fresno State lecturer on leave after caustic comments on Charlie Kirk shooting

Fresno State has placed a lecturer on paid leave while it investigates comments allegedly made following the shooting of right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk.

In a video posted to social media, apparently prior to the news that Kirk had died from his wounds, the lecturer, Barri Brennan, said, “You want to know what I think? It’s too bad he’s not dead. Gonna put my political views right out there. And that’s exactly what I thought. He’s just shot? I was like, he’s not dead? I don’t even know who he is. Just a description of him. Don’t care.”

Brennan teaches communications classes in the university’s College of Arts and Humanities. She did not respond to a request for comment.

The university, in a statement posted to its website on Saturday, said, “Fresno State is aware of a video circulating online that appears to record a lecturer making a disturbing comment about the death of Charlie Kirk. The university has launched an immediate investigation into this incident.

“We condemn, in the strongest possible terms, any language that celebrates or condones violence. Such remarks are antithetical to our values at Fresno State.”

The university followed up on Sunday with a statement that Brennan had been placed on leave while it investigates.

Brennan teaches five classes at Fresno State. The classes that were scheduled to meet on Monday were canceled, according to the university. The investigation into the comments will be handled by the university’s faculty affairs department.

This story was originally published September 15, 2025 at 2:50 PM.