Logo of the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice, where Brad De Santi is reportedly employed as a Security Specialist. | Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice
Logo of the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice, where Brad De Santi is reportedly employed as a Security Specialist. | Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice
Brad De Santi, a Lyons-based security specialist at the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice, is under fire for comments he allegedly made on social media following the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.
“To quote your newest martyr…’some gun deaths are worth it to protect Second Amendment rights,’” De Santi allegedly wrote. “That shot was just a few inches off target...”
The Facebook group Liberals for the Unemployment Line 2026 shared screenshots of De Santi’s posts, highlighting his work in juvenile justice. The group questioned why someone with those views would work with youth.
“Today we have Brad De Santi who works security for a juvenile justice center in Lyons, Il. Word on the street is his wife is a schoolteacher. Is it just us or does the trend seem to be these vile people choose careers on purpose to work with youth? Not only did he make fun of the Charlie Kirk assassination but he also ran his mouth about our now president getting shot last year. Emails have been sent and hopefully Brad YOU’RE FIRED!!!!!!!” the group posted.
According to his LinkedIn profile, De Santi remains employed by the State of Illinois through the Department of Juvenile Justice. It is unclear whether the department has launched an internal investigation or taken disciplinary action.
De Santi is among several public employees whose online conduct has drawn public criticism since Kirk’s death on Sept. 10. Professionals in media, aviation, education, and law enforcement have faced suspension or termination for posts celebrating or mocking the killing.
MSNBC analyst Mike Dowd was among the first dismissed, followed by airline pilots, university staff, and government employees.
Kirk, 31, was co-founder of Turning Point USA, a conservative youth organization. A native of Arlington Heights, Illinois, Kirk started TPUSA at age 18 in a Lemont garage and was known for his role in youth political activism, his ties to President Trump, and his conservative commentary on The Charlie Kirk Show, one of the country’s most popular podcasts.
His assassination has intensified national debates over free speech, political violence, and the limits of acceptable discourse, particularly in educational settings.
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