PHNX Sports has terminated Phoenix Suns reporter Gerald Bourguet following comments he posted on social media about conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination.
The Arizona Republic reported that the company announced the decision on X, stating that Bourguet’s views did not represent PHNX or its parent company, ALLCITY Network. The statement emphasized that the network takes matters of violence seriously and aims to provide a safe environment for its employees and community.
Bourguet, who covered the Suns as a beat reporter and hosted the PHNX Suns podcast, drew backlash online after declining to mourn Kirk’s death. He wrote on X that refusing to respect Kirk was not the same as celebrating gun violence.
In a series of posts, Bourguet argued that Kirk promoted hateful rhetoric and that choosing not to mourn him was about principle. “Truly don’t care if you think it’s insensitive or poor timing to decline to respect an evil man who died,” he wrote.
He also compared reactions to Kirk’s killing with responses to mass shootings, deportations, and violence in Gaza. His comments quickly circulated, sparking widespread debate and criticism across social platforms.
Kirk was fatally shot on September 10, during a public event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. His wife, Erika Frantzve Kirk, and their two young children, a daughter born in 2022 and a son born in 2024, were present at the event when he was killed. Authorities described the incident as a targeted political assassination.
The FBI is leading the manhunt for the suspect, believed to be a college-aged male who used a bolt-action Mauser .30-06 rifle from an elevated rooftop position before fleeing on foot. Officials have recovered the weapon and are analyzing it for fingerprints and DNA evidence.
Surveillance footage shows the suspect in dark clothing, Converse sneakers, a ball cap, and sunglasses. The FBI has released the images and is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
- Kirk frequently spoke about his family, including his wife and their two young children, portraying them as a core part of his life and values. He was an unapologetic defender of his evangelical Christianity, often framing conservative political and social views within a religious context, promoting traditional family structures and faith-based patriotism. He explicitly stated his desire to be remembered for his courage and faith.
President Donald Trump announced that Kirk would posthumously receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, calling him a “martyr for truth and freedom.” Utah Governor Spencer Cox also condemned the killing, labeling it a “political assassination.”
The shooting has intensified concerns over political violence in the United States. Law enforcement agencies continue to review thousands of tips while urging the public to assist in identifying the suspect.
