A conservative Denver talk show radio host’s show was canceled Wednesday after he wished “for a nice school shooting” while speaking on air — a comment that brought a quick backlash from families of Colorado shooting victims.

“All right, Chuck Bonniwell, Julie Hayden here, a little after 1:30, talking about the never-ending impeachment of Donald Trump,” host Chuck Bonniwell said on his show Tuesday, chuckling. “You know you wish for a nice school shooting” to interrupt the impeachment news, he said, as his co-host jumped in, decrying the statement.

“Don’t even — don’t even say that. No, don’t even say that,” Hayden said. “Don’t call us. Chuck didn’t say that.” As he laughed, Bonniwell continued, “– which no one would be hurt.”

On Wednesday evening, 710 KNUS posted on Twitter that Bonniwell’s program was canceled: “Given the history of school violence that has plagued our community, 710 KNUS confirms that an inappropriate comment was made on the Chuck & Julie show by co-host Chuck Bonniwell. A programming decision was made to end the program immediately.”

OFFICIAL STATEMENT:

Given the history of school violence that has plagued our community, 710 KNUS confirms that an inappropriate comment was made on the Chuck & Julie show by co-host Chuck Bonniwell. A programming decision was made to end the program immediately. — 710 KNUS Denver (@710KNUS) December 19, 2019

The statement made by Bonniwell, first reported by the Colorado Times Recorder, spurred an outcry from activists, politicians and others — the latest controversy for a radio station that has already gained notoriety for the alleged dismissal of one host partly over anti-Trump comments and recent allegations that the station has given white supremacists a platform.

Colorado talk radio host Chuck Bonniwell of @710KNUS said he wished for "a nice school shooting" to interrupt coverage of President Trump's impeachment. #copolitics #9NEWS pic.twitter.com/cgrsIftwD7 — Kyle Clark (@KyleClark) December 18, 2019

Sandy Phillips, who lost her daughter Jessi in the 2012 Aurora theater shooting, called for Bonniwell to be fired.

“Total ignorance,” she wrote on Twitter. “Shootings hurt us all…just ask witnesses and first responders. You don’t have to be shot to be wounded.”

This guy should be fired. Total ignorance. Shootings hurt us all…just ask witnesses and first responders. You don't have to be shot to be wounded. #survivorsempowered https://t.co/gBRfZthAUg — Sandy Phillips (@MamaRedfield) December 18, 2019

The state has been the site of several high-profile school shootings. Most recently in Colorado, two students are accused of opening fire and killing one while injuring others at the STEM School Highlands Ranch in May.

John Castillo, the father of 18-year-old Kendrick Castillo, who was killed while trying to protect his classmates in the STEM School shooting, took to Twitter to call the suggestion for a school shooting to distract from impeachment news “unbelievable.”

Unbelievable that a raido host would suggest a school shooting to distract from the presidential inpement. The Chuck and Julie show on knus 710 — John Castillo (@69bronco) December 18, 2019

The Chuck and Julie twitter account issued an apology shortly after 7 p.m. saying the comment was originally meant as a joke: “Chuck Bonniwell has this comment. ‘I made an inappropriate comment meant as a joke. I’m sorry it was not received that way.'”

Regarding the @710KNUS situation. Chuck Bonniwell has this comment. “I made an inappropriate comment meant as a joke. I’m sorry it was not received that way.” — Chuck and Julie (@ChuckandJulie1) December 19, 2019

Updated Dec. 19, 2019 at 8:52 a.m. Due to a reporting error, this story was updated to reflect the correct number of deaths in the STEM School shooting. One student was killed.