Washington school district reviewing incident of employee making celebratory remark about Charlie Kirk’s death
A Washington school district says it has launched a review after a woman identified online as a high school nurse appeared in a confrontation that went viral this week about Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, during which she was heard saying, "Thank God he's dead."
The Lake Washington School District confirmed to Fox News Digital on Wednesday that it is aware of the video circulating on social media involving a district employee and said it is reviewing the circumstances while emphasizing that the views expressed do not reflect those of the district.
"Lake Washington School District (LWSD) is aware of a video circulating on social media involving a district staff member," a spokesperson for the school district told Fox News Digital in a statement Wednesday. "We have received concerns from community members regarding the statements and conduct shown in the video."
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In the video shared on X by the account Right Angle News Network, a woman identified in the post as a nurse at Eastlake High School named Kelsey Ballin is heard saying, "Oh my God, thank God he’s dead, bye," after someone else references Charlie Kirk.
She also appears to mockingly blow a kiss, stick out her tongue, and then give the finger in the incident, which reportedly took place at a farmer's market. Other people in the video were wearing Kirk "Freedom" t-shirts during the incident.
Kirk was assassinated on Sept. 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University during his "American Comeback Tour."
Eastlake High School is part of the Lake Washington School District, located in Sammamish, Washington, and serves grades 9 through 12.
"The district takes these concerns seriously," the spokesperson continued. "While we cannot comment on individual personnel matters, district leadership has initiated a review of the circumstances surrounding this incident and will follow established processes as the review moves forward. It is important to note the views expressed in the video do not reflect the values or positions of Lake Washington School District."
The spokesperson went on to say that, "LWSD is committed to providing welcoming, safe and inclusive learning environments for all students, families, staff and community members. We expect all employees to uphold the professional standards and the values of the district and to contribute to a culture of respect, dignity and civil discourse."
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"At the same time," the spokesperson added, "District employees retain rights and protections as private citizens. Balancing these principles is central to how the district approaches situations like this one. Because this is an ongoing personnel matter, we are unable to provide additional information at this time. We remain committed to our values as an organization for developing students that are prepared as members of a diverse community."
When asked about its policies governing employees' conduct outside of work and on social media, the district referred Fox News Digital to its staff conduct policy, as well as separate guidance addressing employees' use of social media.
Fox News Digital reached out to Turning Point USA for comment, and was referred to a Thursday X post from Andrew Kolvet, spokesman for TPUSA, where he reshared the X post from Right Angle News Network and wrote, "Why are so many of these awful humans drawn to children, schools, and medicine?"
Fox News Digital reached out to Ballin for comment.
