Wausau Alderperson Lou Larson is under fire after leaving what many are calling a disturbing and offensive comment about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Larson, who represents Wausau’s 10th District, made the remarks in the comment section of a letter to the editor published in the Wausau Pilot and Review.

In his response, Larson wrote:

“I’m the first to condemn gun violence, Regardless of what side of the fence your on. Yet in Mr Kirks case one has to wonder if ‘you get what you play for.’ Sadly his shooting took precedence over another school shooting. Which seems to be just another day in America.
1, What makes Mr Alfonso think this is left wing orientated? The shooter is still at large & 2, Where was Mr Alfonso when those two young Minnesota law makers were gunned down.”

The comment immediately drew outrage from local residents and beyond. Critics say Larson, as an elected official, should not be suggesting that anyone “deserved” to be killed for their political views.

“This is absolutely repulsive,” one Wausau resident said. “No way was it Charlie Kirk’s fault he was assassinated. For an alderperson to imply that is outrageous and disqualifying.”

Some have already called for Larson to step down, noting that a recent local nonprofit leader lost her job for making a similar remark online. “Larson’s comment is no different than the one made by the Executive Director of the Wausau River District, who was fired immediately after suggesting Kirk brought his death upon himself,” another critic argued.

Responses to Kirk’s death have been polarizing as numerous prominent figures on the American left began disparaging the Turning Point USA founder within hours—or even minutes—of his brutal murder.

University of Wisconsin–Madison professor Sami Schalk, an Associate Professor in the Department of Gender & Women’s Studies, wrote on Bluesky that Turning Point USA had previously placed her on a “watch list,” which she claims resulted in her receiving death threats. She capped off her reaction to Kirk’s assassination with a shrug emoji, a move widely seen as dismissive and cruel given that the murder was witnessed by Kirk’s family and hundreds of students.

Meanwhile, MSNBC pundit Matthew Dowd was reportedly fired this morning after he made comments in the immediate aftermath of Kirk’s death that many criticized as callous. Dowd suggested that Kirk should have expected “awful actions” to happen to him as a result of “hate speech,” remarks that drew swift backlash and were condemned as victim-blaming.

As calls for his resignation grow louder, the Wausau City Council has not yet issued a statement on Larson’s remarks.