Popular Cincinnati barbecue spot faces fallout after co-owner’s offensive Charlie Kirk post; FC Cincinnati cuts ties
Lucius Q BBQ faces major fallout after co-owner Aaron Sharpe’s offensive Facebook comment about Charlie Kirk’s shooting this week sparked public outrage, boycotts and the loss of key partnerships including FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium.
- Immediate consequences: Screenshots of Aaron Sharpe’s Facebook remark circulated online, triggering boycotts and partner terminations — including FC Cincinnati. Sources linked below.
- Ownership change: Remaining owners condemned violence, apologized, and announced Sharpe is no longer part of the business.
- Community impact: Calls for continued boycotts persist; owners say they will support more than 30 staff members through the crisis.
- Local lessons: The episode highlights reputational risk for vendors tied to stadiums and civic partners.
Key information
Screenshots and remarks: Co-owner Aaron Sharpe allegedly wrote
“Good riddance. What a piece of (expletive).”
Screenshots circulated widely online and were cited in reporting by Local12 and Fox News.
What happened
Lucius Q BBQ, a Pendleton neighborhood fixture known for smoked meats, became the focus of a national discussion after the Facebook comment attributed to co-owner Aaron Sharpe. Screenshots, published in local coverage and cited by national outlets, showed the comment following the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Reporting traces the screenshots and timelines in detail (see Local12 and Fox News).
Responses and reactions
The post drew swift criticism from community members, customers and commentators. Social media users shared screenshots and urged boycotts, creating pressure on corporate and civic partners to act.
FC Cincinnati announced it would end its partnership with Lucius Q and remove the restaurant from concessions at TQL Stadium, citing Sharpe’s remarks as the reason for termination (reported by Local12).
Other partners likewise reviewed or ended relationships with Lucius Q, compounding reputational and financial strain (see Fox News).
Owner statements and internal changes
Remaining owners issued a public statement: “The owners of Lucius Q condemn violence in any form for any reason. … We are merely a locally-owned barbeque joint whose sole purpose is to use food to bring together people from every walk of life and to provide employment for more than 30 hardworking people.” They announced that Sharpe was no longer part of the business and offered an apology to the community (Local12).
Sharpe’s response: Rather than immediately apologizing, Sharpe posted on Facebook defending himself —
“Don’t you dare come at me with your hypocrisy. … 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.”
His page was later deactivated as scrutiny intensified (Fox News).
Community fallout and ongoing boycott calls
Even after the ownership change and apology, calls for boycotts continued online. Supporters and opponents organized through social channels, keeping the controversy in public view. The long-term impact on Lucius Q’s revenue and reputation remains uncertain; owners stress their commitment to supporting more than 30 employees (Local12).
Context: a charged national moment
The incident unfolded amid national tensions after Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative commentator, was shot and killed at a university event in Utah. The alleged shooter has been arrested; the case has fueled debates about political violence and public discourse. That backdrop amplified reactions to the Lucius Q controversy, with many viewing the Facebook comment as part of a larger cultural moment (Fox News).
Reporting and sources
This article is based on reporting by Local12 (FC Cincinnati partnership story), Local12 (owner ousted and backlash), and Fox News Digital.
Implications for San Diego, California
Although the event occurred in Cincinnati, it offers clear lessons for San Diego businesses:
- Economic impact: Vendors that supply stadiums, concert venues or corporate events face rapid contract loss if associated individuals make incendiary public remarks.
- Political consequences: Local leaders and neutral organizations may face pressure to respond when a business becomes tied to nationally charged events.
- Social effects: Social media can escalate local disputes into regional or national debates; community groups may increase dialogue efforts.
- Cultural relevance: Patrons balancing loyalty and values may force businesses to re-evaluate staffing and communications policies.
Practical applications for San Diego businesses
- Review and update social media policies for owners, managers and front-line staff.
- Include reputational-risk clauses in vendor and partnership contracts allowing termination for cause.
- Train employees on de-escalation and public-relations crisis response.
- Maintain open communications with partners and customers to explain remedial actions.
Ongoing monitoring
San Diego business groups, chambers of commerce and venue operators should monitor national incidents like this for lessons. The speed of partnership terminations in Cincinnati is a cautionary example: decisions by large partners can create immediate financial and reputational consequences for small vendors.
