Kansas Department of Education staffer Katie Allen has been fired over her social media post that the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk was “well deserved.”
Allen, who holds a Doctorate in Education, was a research analyst in Career, Standards, and Assessment Services at KSDE. She is also Vice-President of the USD 383 School Board in the Manhattan-Ogden District. Her comment, since deleted, as reported in The Mercury, was a response to a Facebook post by Courtney Jane Hochman, who is a candidate for a seat on the USD 383 Board.
Hochman reposted a photo of Kirk and paraphrased a 2023 quote from the activist.
Kirk’s full quote:
“I think it’s worth it to have a cost of, unfortunately, some gun deaths every single year so that we can have the second amendment to protect our other God-given rights. That is a prudent deal. It is rational.”
To which Katie Allen posted: “Well deserved”
Allen later apologized for her post:
“Late this afternoon I was walking to my car and scrolling Facebook, and then an emotional moment I commented on a post related to a recent shooting. I looked back at the post when I got to my car I quickly realized I didn’t intend the meaning the two words I wrote had so I deleted my comment. Too late – it only took moments for social media users to screen grab my words and quickly spread them.
“For anyone who was offended by my words, I deeply apologize. That is not who I am or what I believe – which is why I deleted that comment so fast. Like many of you, I am deeply worried about the violence and discontent happening in America today and will continue to advocate for common sense laws that keep our kids a community safe. When I make a mistake, I own it and promise to do better.”
She added to her message in response to the reaction she was getting:
“For folks who want to continue to incite hatred and violence against me by re-posting and sending hate messages into my direct messages, I understand your frustration and will keep the documentation to share with law enforcement.”
Allen’s mea culpa wasn’t accepted by Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson, who, in addition to calling for her removal from her KSDE position, urged her to resign from the Manhattan-Ogeden board.
“Charlie Kirk was murdered for sharing his faith and expressing his political views. Katie Allen’s statement that he deserved to die is absolutely reprehensible…I call on her to resign from the USD 383 School Board.”
We reached out to KSDE and the Manhattan-Ogden School Board for comment, but neither responded.
