National backlash erupts after NM doctor says Charlie Kirk ‘deserved’ to die (Also with UNM School of Medicine)

The Piñon Post ^ | September 12, 2025 | Piñon Post Staff

[CedarDave]

In the wake of the assassination of Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, a doctor in Albuquerque has drawn national attention and condemnation for social media posts in which he appeared to celebrate the violence.

Dr. John R. Vigil, identified in his public profile as board-certified in Addiction Medicine (not Virgil), a Fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine, a Master Addiction Counselor, and associated with the University of New Mexico School of Medicine and JRV Medical Group, posted two messages on Facebook following Kirk’s death.

In one, he reportedly wrote: “If you’re looking for sympathy from me over the death of a MAGAt, it’s between sh*t and syphilis in the dictionary!” In a second post, he said, “I’ll probably lose friends over this, but besides Trump, I can’t think of a more deserving person to get just Karma!”

Those posts, first shared widely by online commentator Cam Higby of Today is America via X (formerly Twitter), included accusations that Vigil said Kirk deserved to die and called the killing just. According to those who shared the posts, Vigil is a managing partner at JRV Medical Group in Albuquerque.

The posts prompted swift backlash. Some commentators say they amount to glorification of political violence. On social media, prominent figures noticed; among them, Elon Musk replied to one of the posts with “!!” — a brief response that drew attention but has not been further elaborated.

The controversy arises amid heightened national scrutiny over the assassination of Charlie Kirk, which is being widely treated as a political killing. Kirk was shot while speaking at Utah Valley University, and the event has triggered intense conversation about political violence, free speech, and extremism in the United States.

[CedarDave]

Dr. Vigil’s social media profile and public listings describe him as:

• Board-certified in Addiction Medicine,
• Fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine,
• Master Addiction Counselor,
• Author,
• Affiliated with JRV Medical Group, and
• Affiliated with the University of New Mexico School of Medicine in Albuquerque.

These credentials add weight to the public reaction, as they suggest Vigil operates in roles that involve public trust and professional responsibility.

[CedarDave]

NM list PING!

I may not PING for all New Mexico articles. To see New Mexico articles by topic click here: New Mexico Topics

To see NM articles by keyword, click here: New Mexico Keywords

To see the NM Message Page, click here: New Mexico Messages

(The NM list is available on my FR homepage for FR member use; its use in the News Forum should not be for trivial or inconsequential posts. Let me know if you wish to be added or removed from the list.)
(For ABQ Journal articles requiring a subscription, you may be allowed a number of free article views.)

[Texas Eagle]

Gee, Wally, I wonder how many patients under his care he decided deserved to die.

[Wilderness Conservative]

Trust the science.

[Labyrinthos]

What ever happened to “do no harm?”. Even our battlefield medical units provide aide to enemy combatants.

[nwrep]

[shelterguy]

Hoe Moe.

[TheThirdRuffian]

Mrs. Thethirdruffian (Dr) is trying to find what she can about this guy.

[Jamestown1630]

Jeez. Earlier today there was a nurse, too.

It’s very creepy to think that you might get sick, have to enter a hospital, and wind up treated by someone as crazy and unprofessional as this.

[RummyChick]

[jacknhoo]

Gaydar is pinging on that one.

[Kudsman]

Oh no. Figures. Poor dog.

[FreedomForce]

Every one of these mofos need to be doxxed.

[Flaming Conservative]

Any conservative patients he had will dump him and liberal patients will flock to him like flies on you know what. IF he gets to keep his job. Hopefully, he does not.

[Da Coyote]

Med Schools seem to be competing for the first STEM group to go to the dark side. If you have a physician who cannot identify a woman, bail out stat.

[Rummyfan]

I would not let that guy treat me for a common cold.

[ncalburt]

A complete Nutjob outed himself .
That guy needs a padded room and to be not
treating anyone .

Pull his license .

[HYPOCRACY]

Exactly the words that went through my head when I saw that photo.

[RWGinger]

Who was this?

[GrandJediMasterYoda]

I refuse to get angry. Instead I’ll just write this d-bag an email or letter and thank him for helping Republicans win the midterms. As it’s going now, the next time democrats win any election will be in 100 years