At Nathan Hale Elementary School in Chicago, a teacher drew widespread condemnation after being filmed making a gun-to-the-neck gesture during a “No Kings” protest—appearing to mock the recent assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.
Despite the viral backlash and calls for disciplinary action, the school’s principal, Dawn Iles‑Gomez, sent a letter to families framing the educator as “the victim” of online threats. The letter made no reference to the teacher’s controversial action or any steps taken in response.
The principal’s note emphasized that authorities including the Chicago Police Department and the school district’s Office of Safety and Security have been notified, and that extra police presence would be provided “out of an abundance of caution.”
The teacher remains on staff at the school, according to the correspondence, while the incident continues to fuel debate on educator conduct, political expression in schools and accountability.