EASTON, Pa. — Northampton County Democrats sought Monday to distance from county council member Kelly Keegan, referencing screenshots that appear to show Keegan writing that murdered conservative media personality Charlie Kirk's family "is better off without him."
County Controller Tara Zrinski, currently running for county executive, released a statement Monday condemning the alleged comments.
“None of us should celebrate death. I do not condone Councilwoman Keegan’s comments, which were in poor judgment and have no place in civil discourse. Her words do not reflect me, the Democratic Party, or the values of Northampton County."County Controller Tara Zrinski
“None of us should celebrate death," Zrinski said. "I do not condone Councilwoman Keegan’s comments, which were in poor judgment and have no place in civil discourse.
"Her words do not reflect me, the Democratic Party, or the values of Northampton County."
Zrinski wrote that Keegan’s post is a symptom of “the apathy and futility our nation feels in addressing gun violence, political division and the stalemate of our government bodies to initiate even a functional budget on behalf of the people they represent.”
“Charlie Kirk himself once said, ‘I think it’s worth it to have a cost of, unfortunately, some gun deaths every single year, so that we can have the 2nd Amendment.’ The irony of his statement is tragic, but no one deserves assassination,” the statement reads.
“No family deserves this loss, though, not even his. That is the point: every life matters, and every act of violence deepens the wounds of division.”
Another response
Images posted to social media over the weekend appear to show a Facebook post in which Keegan calls Kirk a “monster,” and writes that “his wife and kids are better off without him as is the rest of the world.”
LehighValleyNews.com has not independently verified the screenshots’ authenticity. A Facebook account by the same name and associated with Keegan is no longer publicly available.
Keegan has not responded to requests for comment.
Easton Area School District, which employs Keegan as a nurse supervisor, released a statement Saturday saying that a “deeply concerning social media post made by an individual associated with our school district regarding the recent passing of Charlie Kirk” did not reflect the district’s values.
Former Hellertown Borough Council Vice President Theresa Fadem, a Democratic nominee for county council, also released a statement Monday.
Fadem wrote that Kirk "was a polarizing public figure, but he was also someone who possessed intelligence, a willingness to engage in difficult conversations, and a strong devotion to his family.”
“As leaders and citizens, we must rise above partisan divides and remember our shared humanity. Political disagreements should never overshadow basic decency."Hellertown Borough Council Vice President Theresa Fadem
"I am deeply saddened by his senseless assassination.
"Regardless of political differences, it is never acceptable to demean or trivialize the violent death of another human being. Such reactions erode the basic compassion and respect that bind communities together.
"I respect and cherish our First Amendment right to free speech, which allows us to voice our opinions even when they are unpopular. However, with that freedom comes a responsibility — especially for public officials — to use our words thoughtfully and to lead by example. In moments of tragedy, empathy and restraint should prevail over divisiveness.
“As leaders and citizens, we must rise above partisan divides and remember our shared humanity. Political disagreements should never overshadow basic decency,” Fadem wrote.
Fadem’s fellow Democratic nominee for county council, Wind Gap Borough Council member Jason Boulette, also weighed in Monday, saying he “didn’t agree with the comments that were made.”
“Political violence has no place in our society," Boulette wrote. "I’m grateful that the alleged assassin of Charlie Kirk has been taken into custody. It’s devastating seeing disagreements
“My heart goes out to these children who will now grow up without a father. We have children being shot in our schools and children losing their parents, and it has to stop.
"We have to be better than this as a country."
This is a developing report and will be updated.
