FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — A Fresno State lecturer who was placed on leave last fall has returned to teaching after making controversial comments about conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
According to the Fresno State Collegian, the university’s student-run newspaper, Professor Barri Brennan is back in the classroom after being placed on leave in September 2025.
Brennan was removed from teaching after a video circulated online showing the professor making an inappropriate remark about political commentator Charlie Kirk.
The incident happened on Sept. 10, 2025, when a student referenced Kirk’s shooting during class.
Brennan is believed to have responded, “You want to know what I think? It’s too bad he’s not dead.”
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Following the video’s spread on social media, Fresno State released a statement on Sept. 13, 2025, acknowledging the situation and announcing they had launched an investigation.
At the time, the university said it was aware of the video and emphasized that it strongly condemns language that celebrates or condones violence, calling such remarks “antithetical to our values.”
The following day, Sept. 14, 2025, Fresno State released another statement confirming the lecturer had been placed on leave effective immediately while the investigation continued.
In both statements, the university reiterated its condemnation of violent rhetoric and stressed that the comments did not align with Fresno State’s principles.
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The university has not publicly released details about the outcome of its investigation or the conditions surrounding Brennan’s return.