Tamar Shirinian targeted Kirk’s family, writing that his children were “better off living in a world without” him and insulting his widow.
A University of Tennessee professor who celebrated the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and said "the world is better off without him" will receive a $1.9 million settlement after suing the university over her dismissal.
The University of Tennessee System Board of Trustees approved the settlement with former professor Tamar Shirinian, who was fired earlier this year after a series of social media posts following Kirk's assassination during his "American Comeback Tour" event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025.
In her posts, Shirinian referred to Kirk as a "disgusting psychopath" and wrote that "the world is better off without him in it." She also targeted Kirk's family, adding in the comments, "His kids are better off living in a world without a disgusting psychopath like him and his wife, well, she’s a sick f*ck for marrying him so I dont [sic] care about her feelings."
University Chancellor Donde Plowman fired Shirinian in February, accusing her of celebrating a political murder and mocking a grieving family. "Your words celebrated a gruesome murder, which horrifically took place on a college campus similar to our own," Plowman wrote in her termination letter. She added that Shirinian had "callously demeaned the grief and loss felt by the widow and young children of the victim while also mocking any grief felt by others who sympathized with the surviving family."
Despite the university's decision to terminate her employment, the lawsuit has now ended with a $1.9 million settlement. Shirinian will not be reinstated to her faculty position. "My client is pleased that the parties reached a resolution," Shirinian's attorney, Robb Bigelow, told Knoxville News. "We believe the resolution reflects the seriousness of the issues while allowing everyone to move forward."
The settlement comes as the criminal case against alleged Charlie Kirk assassin Tyler Robinson continues in Utah. Robinson's attorneys are currently seeking to have prosecutors removed from the case over an alleged conflict of interest, while also attempting to prevent video of Kirk's killing from being shown during an upcoming court hearing
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