UNF fired instructor Jacob McElroy after he made threatening remarks in class, claiming they were a rhetorical exercise, despite no criminal charges.

The University of North Florida terminated visiting English instructor Jacob McElroy after he allegedly told students during a September 11 class he would shoot them, according to a termination letter. The remarks reportedly followed the assassination of commentator Charlie Kirk. McElroy claimed the statements were a misunderstood rhetorical exercise meant to critique inflammatory language, not genuine threats. An audio recording of the lecture, obtained by Action News Jax, captured the comments and McElroy saying he sometimes failed students “just for fun.” Florida law allows students to record classes for educational purposes. Though McElroy was cleared of criminal charges, UNF cited incompetence and lack of remorse in its decision. The United Faculty of Florida’s UNF chapter has filed a grievance challenging the termination, which is set to take effect December 17. The university has not released further details on the investigation or the recording’s admissibility.