CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Austin Peay State University has fired a professor over a post he shared on social media apparently in response to the shooting death of conservative radio show host Charlie Kirk.
Darren Michael, professor of theatre, was fired Friday, according to a press release at 11:20 p.m. Friday from APSU.
“A faculty member of Austin Peay State University reshared a post on social media that was insensitive, disrespectful and interpreted by many as propagating justification for unlawful death,” said APSU President Mike Licari. “Such actions do not align with Austin Peay’s commitment to mutual respect and human dignity. The university deems these actions unacceptable and has terminated the faculty member.”
The university did not quote the post or state specifically what was said in it. However, several Twitter users have posted screenshots of a Darren V Michael Facebook account, saying he was an APSU professor, that shared a screenshot of a 2023 headline, “Charlie Kirk Says Gun Deaths ‘Unfortunately’ Worth it to Keep 2nd Amendment.” The headline was from an April 2023 article in Newsweek.
Michael has won numerous awards and is a published playwright and author. He has been with APSU for 18 years, since August 2007, according to his LinkedIn profile. Clarksville Now was unable to contact him late Friday night.
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