Professional dancer and television personality Cheryl Burke has issued a grovelling public apology after facing intense criticism for posting an Instagram video of herself firing a gun mere hours after a deadly school shooting in Minnesota.
The 39-year-old Dancing with the Stars alum found herself at the centre of a social media firestorm after sharing now-deleted footage to her Instagram Story on Thursday. The controversial post showed Burke at a shooting range, discharging a firearm while wearing protective ear defenders.
The timing could not have been more insensitive, coming just hours after a tragic shooting at Rocori High School in Cold Spring, Minnesota, which left one 15-year-old student dead and another critically injured.
Burke moved quickly to damage control mode, posting a tearful video apology to her Instagram account. "I am so sorry for my post today," she stated, visibly emotional. "I honestly did not know that there was a school shooting today. I feel so stupid and I am so sorry to anyone that I offended."
The dancer explained that the shooting range video was recorded earlier in the week but posted without consideration of current events. "It was a major lack of judgement posting it today of all days," she admitted, acknowledging her error in not checking the news before sharing the content.
Social media users were swift to condemn the original post, with many followers expressing their disappointment and calling the timing "tone-deaf" and "insensitive." The backlash highlights the increasing scrutiny public figures face regarding their social media activity, particularly when it intersects with ongoing tragic events.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of social media responsibility, especially for celebrities with substantial platforms. Burke's prompt apology demonstrates the immediate damage control required when public figures misstep in their online presence during sensitive periods.
