‘Lock and load’: Horry Schools board chair regrets post after facing scrutiny
Horry County Schools board chairman has sworn off political social media commentary after facing scrutiny for a Facebook comment earlier this week.
David Cox last week posted an image of a Charlie Kirk post where the recently murdered Conservative commentator had warned about an increase in political assassinations. Under Cox’s post, someone responded about the Democrats becoming “unhinged” and calling for the “modern leftist movement” to be destroyed immediately.
“I agree,” Cox responded in a Facebook comment. “If the moderate Democrats do not reclaim their party, it’s only going to get worse.... Lock and load.”
Cox, who describes himself as a “diehard Conservative,” has since deleted that post and others related to politics from his personal Facebook page after at least two people called his work and the school district demanding his resignation, he told The Sun News.
Cox said “lock and load” is just an expression, and he regrets using it, but he believes he was just misunderstood, and his comments were just about being afraid for the future if moderate Democrats can’t take back their party from the radical movement.
“I didn’t say anything about killing anyone,” he said. “Just, we all have to be prepared for anything in this day and time.
“This has taught me a valuable lesson (about posting on social media). Words can be misconstrued and taken out of context.”
Cox’s realization comes at a time when many education professionals are being chastised for their social media posts, particularly posts appearing to mock or celebrate Kirk’s death.
Clemson University fired multiple employees related to social media posts about Kirk, and Coastal Carolina University terminated one employee and suspended another without pay for similar posts.
Cox said two HCS employees were suspended recently for social media posts, and district spokeswoman Lisa Bourcier confirmed disciplinary action was taken, but declined to provide details about the posts or whether the suspensions are still active.
“Any issues that are brought to our attention will be thoroughly examined,” Bourcier wrote. “All personnel matters will be addressed in accordance with district policies.”
South Carolina State Superintendent Ellen Weaver sent a memo Tuesday to school districts about “unprofessional educator conduct” and advising that “anyone who celebrates or condones murder or political violence should be disqualified from teaching or working with children.”
HCS Superintendent Clifford Jones then shared that memo Tuesday with all district staff members, Bourcier confirmed.
Cox apologized for his comment during Monday’s school board meeting, where multiple community members called for his resignation during public comment, according to various news reports.
This story was originally published September 19, 2025 at 11:41 AM.
