Arizona governor’s press secretary resigns after tweeting about transgender shooting

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs’ press secretary has resigned after a Twitter post alleging gun violence against transgender people was posted just hours after a transgender shooter killed six at a Christian school.

Hobbs’ office on Wednesday confirmed the resignation of Jocelyn Berry, who had uploaded a photo of a woman with two guns alongside the caption, “We are when we see transgender people.”

“The governor does not condone violence in any form,” Hobbs’ office said in a statement. “This administration holds mutual respect at the forefront of how we treat each other.”

The statement added that Perry’s Twitter post “does not reflect the administration’s values” and that Hobbs, a Democrat, received and accepted Perry’s resignation.

Perry’s controversial tweet came less than 12 hours after Audrey Hill, 28, of Nashville, who was transitioning to male and used the pronouns he/him, killed three children and three adults in a mass shooting at Covenant School on Monday.

Jocelyn Berry has resigned after a hateful tweet posted less than 12 hours after six people were killed at a Christian school in Nashville by a transgender shooter.

Perry – who has only been employed by Hobbs since January – shared in the tweet a photo depicting actress Gena Rowlands wielding weapons in the 1980 film “Gloria”.

Earlier today I posted: “If you work in the progressive community and you’re transphobic, you’re not progressive.”

It is not clear what she was referring to, or if the remarks were in response to the shootings that occurred the same day.

The hateful tweet prompted Hobbs’ Republican critics to call for Perry’s removal from the governor’s office.

The Arizona Freedom Caucus wrote in response: “Less than 12 hours after the tragic shooting in Nashville by a transgender activist, Katie Hobbs’ press secretary is calling for people Democrats disagree with to be shot.”

Advocating such violence is totally un-American and unacceptable. Joselyn Berry should be fired immediately.

The caucus is headed by Republican Senator Jake Hoffman and is often at odds with Hobbs’ policies,

As of Tuesday night, the tweet was still available on Perry’s account but she has made her profile private meaning it can only be seen by those who already follow her.

Hobbs has been a vocal advocate for LGBT rights since becoming Arizona’s governor in November.

On Monday, she wrote of the school shooting: “My family and I are sending all of our love to the families affected by the tragic news from Nashville.

“I know parents across the country are hugging their kids a little tighter tonight.”

Jocelyn Perry (left) has worked with Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs (right) since January

As of Tuesday night, the tweet was still on Perry’s account, but her Twitter profile was soon made private.

Hobbs (above) did not comment on Perry’s tweet but did address the Nashville shooting

Nashville shooter Audrey Hill, 28, was seen during the attack at a Christian elementary school

Nashville is still reeling from the shooting that killed three nine-year-olds.

Hill opened fire on Covenant School – a small private primary school run by the church – at around 10.13am on Monday.

Hill was armed with two rifles and a revolver, and reportedly planned the killing meticulously.

It is understood that the shooter had various graffiti and maps of the school, as well as drawings of how to enter.

Hill shot and killed Head of School Catherine Consey in the hallway in an “assassination” style killing, as well as shooting church guard Mike Hill and substitute teacher Cynthia Beck.

Hale also killed three nine-year-old students: Haley Scruggs, William Kenny and Evelyn Dichhaus.

By 10.27am, the shooter had been killed by responding officers Rex Engelbert and Michael Collazo.

Story development, more to follow.