KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) A Keene city councilor is facing mounting calls to resign after posting inflammatory comments on Facebook about the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

By Saturday morning, more than 140 people had signed an online petition demanding the removal of Ward 2 Councilor Bobby Williams. The petition accuses Williams of mocking Kirk’s killing and says his remarks show “a serious lapse in judgment” that undermines public trust in the City Council.

The controversy began after Williams wrote on Facebook that Kirk “was a piece of [expletive] who promoted gun violence and died by gun violence.” The post, which Williams later deleted, also included other disparaging remarks about the 31-year-old activist, a prominent voice in conservative politics and a strong advocate for gun rights.

Kirk was shot and killed Wednesday while speaking at a university in Utah. Police arrested a suspect the following day.

After Williams’ comments circulated online, residents began tagging the city and pressing officials for a response. On Friday night, Mayor Jay Kahn issued a statement distancing the council from Williams’ remarks.

“A recent Facebook post by Bobby Williams concerning the murder of Charlie Kirk reflects his personal opinion and does not represent the views of Keene’s City Council,” Kahn wrote. “While individuals might disagree with his message, it is important to recognize that Mr. Kirk’s death is a tragedy. Regardless of political beliefs, we must all stand firmly against politically motivated violence in any form.”

The petition argues that Williams’ words were not only offensive but unbefitting of an elected official. “Public officials must be held to a higher standard,” the petition reads. “Keene deserves leaders who can disagree without demeaning, and who can condemn violence without fueling more division.”

Williams, whose term runs through 2027, has not yet issued a public response to the petition or to Kahn’s statement.