Police Respond After Scandal Over Halloween Costumes, Charlie Kirk Allegedly Triggers Threats Against Teachers

Police patrolled an Arizona school Monday after a scandal over whether teachers’ Halloween costumes mocked Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk’s death allegedly prompted threats.

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department (PCSD) sent additional deputies to the Vail, Arizona, school following online backlash to a photo showing teachers wearing “Problem Solved” shirts with fake blood stains, KGUN reported. The viral photo reportedly sparked Turning Point USA spokesman Andrew Kolvet to question whether the costumes were mocking the September assassination of Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University, KVOA reported, citing a seemingly deleted post.

Vail School District Superintendent John Carruth said the shirts represented solving tough math problems and were purchased online for last year’s Halloween in a statement obtained Saturday by KGUN. (RELATED: High School Obstructs Access To Curriculum Of Teacher Who Celebrated Charlie Kirk Assassination)

“The shirts were never intended to target any person, event, or political issue,” Carruth wrote to parents. “We understand how this image could be misunderstood and taken out of context, especially by people who are not associated with the teachers or the school.”

Carruth alleged that teachers were receiving “hurtful messages” and harassment and said any threats received were being reported to law enforcement.

Kolvet responded to the the district’s explanation Saturday on X. “That being said, it’s a very weird costume for teachers in general, but after what happened to Charlie, I’m absolutely floored they wore it again. I do not believe for a second that all of them were innocent,” he wrote.

UPDATE: Vail Schools said these math teachers wore the same costume last year. I was waiting for confirmation, and it appears they did. I am updating the thread with the image. We’ve seen enough evil since Charlie’s murder that I’d actually be relieved if this isn’t another… https://t.co/pXjYiqofep pic.twitter.com/viQJYBsbIZ

— Andrew Kolvet (@AndrewKolvet) November 1, 2025

Republican State Representative Rachel Keshel disputed the district’s explanation in a statement Saturday. She alleged that recent alumni — her daughter among them — confirmed the math teachers didn’t wear these shirts last year. She called for terminating those involved.

“As a proud southern Arizona legislator, I am deeply outraged by the recent reports of staff at Vail Unified School District donning costumes that seemingly mock the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk,” the lawmaker’s statement read. “Such costumes aren’t harmless fun; they normalize the unthinkable—political assassination—in front of impressionable young minds.”

The district reported all threats to police and the teachers who wore the costumes won’t wear them again, district officials said, KGUN reported. “We take all threats seriously and encourage anyone who sees something to say something,” PCSD Public Information Officer Angelica Carrillo said.

Arizona Education Association President Marisol Garcia condemned the alleged threats against educators, claiming they were due to “bad-faith actors.” “We are horrified by the barrage of death threats that followed, and we urge law enforcement to fully investigate all threats and protect the Vail community,” Garcia said in a post.

The Daily Caller reached out to Andrew Kolvet and the Vail School District for comment. The Pima County Sheriff’s Office referred the Caller to Carrillo’s previous statement.