FEMA official fired after undercover video shows him laughing about Charlie Kirk shooting death

When asked how FEMA felt about Charlie Kirk getting shot, Sean Kelly responded, 'Everybody is kind of laughing'
PUBLISHED SEP 13, 2025
FEMA Section Chief Sean Kelly was fired after an undercover video went viral showing him laughing about the death of Charlie Kirk (Screengrab/X/@JamesOKeefeIII)
FEMA Section Chief Sean Kelly was fired after an undercover video went viral showing him laughing about the death of Charlie Kirk (Screengrab/X/@JamesOKeefeIII)


 

WASHINGTON, DC: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Section Chief Sean Kelly has been fired after an undercover clip went viral showing him laughing about the assassination of Charlie Kirk and saying he "kind of deserved it".

The conservative commentator and Turning Point USA co-founder was fatally shot on Wednesday, September 10, during an event at Utah Valley University.

FEMA official calls Charlie Kirk 'lunatic and awful'

In an undercover clip released by the O’Keefe Media Group on Friday, September 12, Sean Kelly was seen saying, "Like, he’s [Charlie] a f*****g lunatic and awful, and kind of deserves in his own way."

The OMG undercover journalist asked Sean Kelly, "So how does FEMA feel about, feel about Charlie Kirk getting shot?" and Kelly said, "Uh, everybody is kind of laughing."

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 11: The casket containing the body of Charlie Kirk is removed from Air Force Two at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on September 11, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. Kirk, the CEO and co-founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed on Wednesday in Utah. (Photo by Eric Thayer/Getty Images)
The casket containing the body of Charlie Kirk is removed from Air Force Two at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on September 11, 2025, in Phoenix, Arizona (Eric Thayer/Getty Images)

After the video went viral, a DHS spokesperson told the outlet that Sean Kelly has been fired.

Charlie Kirk's shooting suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, was arrested on Friday, September 12, by law enforcement after his father informed them.

Two sources told CNN that Robinson "confessed to his father that he was the shooter."

SPANISH FORK, UTAH - SEPTEMBER 12: (EDITOR'S NOTE: This Handout image was provided by a third-party organization and may not adhere to Getty Images' editorial policy.) In this handout image provided by the Office of the Governor of Utah, Tyler Robinson stands for a booking photo on September 12, 2025 in Spanish Fork, Utah. Political activist Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was speaking at his
In this handout image provided by the Office of the Governor of Utah, Tyler Robinson stands for a booking photo on September 12, 2025, in Spanish Fork, Utah (Office of the Governor of Utah via Getty Images)

Robinson’s father then informed authorities that he had "secured his son" until police could formally detain him. A law enforcement official said that Robinson's father recognized his son from photos released by the FBI, as per the report.

Tyler Robinson's father told his son to "turn himself in" and called a youth pastor to assist. The pastor called the US Marshals, who took Robinson into custody.

Tyler Robinson's Discord message linked him to Charlie Krik's killing

Tyler Robinson’s roommate showed investigators messages on the group chat app Discord, where Robinson talked about retrieving a rifle, Utah Governor Spencer Cox told reporters.

The roommate opened Discord and "allowed investigators to take photos of the screen as each message was shown by Robinson’s mate," Cox added.

The scene after shots were fired at an appearance by Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025 in Orem, Utah. Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was speaking at his
The scene after shots were fired at an appearance by Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025, in Orem, Utah (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images)

The Utah Governor said, "The content of these included messages affiliated with the contact Tyler, stating a need to retrieve a rifle from a drop point, leaving the rifle in a bush, messages related to visually watching the area where a rifle was left, and a message referring to having left the rifle wrapped in a towel."

Notably, Initial descriptions by officials said the gunman wore jeans, a black shirt, and a black vest, and was seen perched with a long rifle.

OREM, UTAH - SEPTEMBER 10: Charlie Kirk appears at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025 in Orem, Utah. Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was speaking at his
Charlie Kirk appears at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025, in Orem, Utah. Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was speaking at his 'American Comeback Tour' when he was shot in the neck and killed (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images)

Cox added, "The messages also refer to engraving bullets and a mention of a scope, and the rifle being unique. Messages from the contact Tyler also mentioned that he had changed outfits."

The FBI had earlier offered up to $100,000 for information leading to the suspect’s identification and capture.

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