A popular Cincinnati barbecue restaurant appears to be doomed as it faces a fierce backlash after one of its co-founders mocked the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Aaron Sharpe, co-owner of Lucius Q, attacked those mourning Kirk’s murder and smeared the slain father-of-two as a “piece of s—” in a Facebook post.
Sharpe posted his remarks shortly after Kirk, 31, was fatally shot on Wednesday while speaking at Utah Valley University.
Responding to someone offering prayers for Kirk’s family, Sharpe sneered:
“Good riddance. What a piece of s—.”
The comments, now deleted but widely circulated in screenshots, sparked outrage online and within the Cincinnati community.
Doubling Down
Rather than walking back his remarks, Sharpe doubled down later that evening on Facebook.
“Don’t you dare come at me with your hypocrisy,” he raged as the backlash intensified.
“If you think that threats of social media attacks on me or my business will in any way keep me silent about what I believe, you are sorely mistaken.”
Sharpe, who has repeatedly attacked President Donald Trump online, appeared to deactivate his Facebook account by Friday morning.
Partners, Suppliers, And Venues Cut Ties
By Thursday, several of Lucius Q’s business partners announced they were