MTSU employee fired for comments following Charlie Kirk’s shooting death

Written by Mickey Sandlin

A Middle Tennessee State University employee took to social media to share her opinions on the death of Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist that was shot while speaking on a college campus in Utah.

MTSU President Sidney McPhee released a statement last night stating that the employee was fired effective immediately. 

“An MTSU employee today offered inappropriate and callous comments on social media concerning the horrific and tragic murder of Charlie Kirk. The comments by this employee, who worked in a position of trust directly with students, were inconsistent with our values and have undermined the university’s credibility and reputation with our students, faculty, staff and the community at large. This employee has been fired effective immediately.” McPhee said in the release. 

The employee in question is the now former Assistant Dean at MTSU in the office of Student Care and Conduct, Laura Sosh-Lightsy.

“Looks like ol’ Charlie spoke his fate into existence. Hate begets hate. ZERO sympathy.” Sosh-Lightsy posted. 

Kirk was shot and killed while speaking at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. Kirk is known to be a close ally of President Donald Trump and played an influential role in rallying young Republican voters during election season. Kirk is known to frequent college campuses for speaking events.

A further statement was released by the university September 11, stating the disappointment felt by the staff. 

“This is the time when we count on our staff to be thoughtful, supportive and even-keeled. The best antidote for stress is caring. Imagine our shock, then,  when we learned that an employee had posted callous and insensitive comments on Facebook to an audience that certainly knows of her role at MTSU. It was the exact opposite of what we would expect from anyone who represents our university to students and the public.” McPhee said in the release.

“Simply put, this employee's actions make her ineligible to work with students on their conduct.  Speech can have consequences and her thoughtlessness and lack of empathy mean that no one walking into her office can see her as an objective arbiter of facts.

This action has badly disrupted and undermined the university, so we have taken the appropriate steps.” he continued. 

The removal of Sosh-Lightsy follows the outrage of many, including Senator Marsha Blackburn who called for the removal of Sosh-Lightsy from her position at MTSU. 

Authorities in Utah are working to identify the shooter as the investigation continues.