District 49 Staff Disciplined Over Alleged Approval of Charlie Kirk Assassination

By Ashleigh Quintana, KOAA | The Gazette

Two staff members at School District 49 are on administrative leave following reports that they approved of the Charlie Kirk assassination.

Kirk, a conservative activist, was shot and killed Wednesday during a speaking event at Utah Valley University in Orem.

The suspect, identified as Tyler Robinson, 22, was taken into custody on Thursday night, about 33 hours after the shooting, FBI Director Kash Patel told reporters. The agency had received more than 11,000 tips as of Friday morning, the most since the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, he said.

According to Gazette new partner KOAA, D-49 said on Friday that the following statement was released to families at The Campus, which includes the Springs Studio for Academic Excellence and the Pikes Peak Early College:

“Campus Families –

“We are actively investigating reports that two of our staff members may have reacted to the news of the assassination of Charlie Kirk in ways that indicated approval of that action. We do not condone this kind of behavior, particularly in the presence of students.

“Leaders at The Campus, the Sand Creek Zone, and District 49 take every report like this one very seriously. Behaviors like those described are a clear violation of the expectations we have for everyone associated with the District. We hold ourselves to a higher standard.

“At this time, the staff involved have been placed on administrative leave while we continue to review the matter. Because these issues are an ongoing personnel matter, we will not provide further information or comments. As always, we thank you for your trust and understanding.”

– Dustin Horras, Sand Creek Zone Superintendent

District 49 covers the Falcon area and eastern edge of Colorado Springs.

The Sand Creek Zone is located at the southern end of District 49, according to D-49’s website. The zone includes Evans Elementary, Horizon Middle, Remington Elementary, Sand Creek High School, Springs Ranch Elementary, Stetson Elementary and the Campus, comprised of Springs Studio for Academic Excellence and Pikes Peak Early College. The Sand Creek Zone is made up of 5 Title 1 schools, receiving federal funding to support academic achievement and growth.

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