Founder of Turning Point USA, Charlie Kirk was shot and killed Wednesday, September 10, while speaking at Utah Valley University during his “American Comeback Tour,” according to FBI Director Kesh Patel.
Kirk, 31, was delivering remarks as part of his “Prove Me Wrong” debate series when a single gunshot rang out, prompting a chaotic evacuation and a hasty response from local and federal authorities, said AP News.
“We must all pray for Charlie Kirk, who has been shot. A great guy from top to bottom. GOD BLESS HIM!” said President Donald Trump.
Federal officials quickly confirmed that they were working along with state authorities to investigate the circumstances of the shooting.
According to the FBI, “The FBI stands in full support of the ongoing response and investigation.”
Witnesses at the event were struck by confusion as attendees were escorted outside of the venue while early video clips showed one man being detained by the police.
“Kirk has been taken to a local hospital. Video taken at the scene claimed to show the suspected shooter being taken into custody; however, Utah officials confirmed that the older man who was taken into custody immediately after the shooting was released,” said The Post Millennial.
The incident drew rapid reactions from many political figures from across the political spectrum, each condemning the violence.
“There is no place in our country for this kind of violence. It must end now. Jill and I are praying for Charlie Kirk’s family and loved ones,” said Former President Joe Biden.
University officials also highlighted the importance of free speech and nonviolence within their campus.
“We firmly believe that UVU (Utah Valley University) is a place to share ideas and to debate openly and respectfully. Any attempt to infringe on those rights has no place here. We do not condone any form of violence at UVU and seek to make our campus a safe place for all,” said Utah Valley University President Astrid Tuminez Peterson.
Prominent voices overseas also reacted, claiming Kirk’s death will be impactful in the future of free speech.
“He has been killed for saying things that used to be simple common sense. He has been killed because he had the courage to stand up publicly for reasonable opinions held by millions and millions of ordinary people both in the US and Britain. The world has a shining new martyr to free speech,” wrote former Prime Minister Boris Johnson on X.
Media outlets described Kirk’s powerful impact on right-wing conservative politics and how his divisive arguments have shaped the modern Republican Party.
According to CNN, “Kirk and Turning Point found success in conservative circles by injecting the organization directly into cultural battles and turning divisive debates into online and offline engagement. Kirk championed right-wing ideas in fiery, on-camera clashes with progressive academics that then exploded on social media, especially on Twitter, the site known as X.”
Other former leaders rejected the violence in American democracy.
“We don’t yet know what motivated the person who shot and killed Charlie Kirk, but this kind of despicable violence has no place in our democracy. Michelle and I will be praying for Charlie’s family tonight, especially his wife Erika and their two young children,” said Former President Barack Obama.
While the motivations of the suspect are very unclear at this time, some politicians have speculated the reasoning behind the shooting.
“The Left is the party of murder,” said Representative Paul Gosar, Republican of Arizona, on the app X.
Others have pointed out that Charlie Kirk has been dismissive of gun violence in the past which some think shows the hypocrisy of Republican politicians.
“Charlie Kirk has frequently responded to mass shootings by pivoting the conversation to ‘mental health’ or broader cultural decline. He rejected calls for gun control and emphasized the need to protect Second Amendment rights” Said Hindustan Times.
Overall a lot of people on social media are split between blame and sympathy for Kirk, but some chose to unify in this hard time.
Oklahoma Senator Markywane Mullin said “This hurts because it was so senseless… We all hold a responsibility to this, Republicans, Democrats, news outlets to the left and to the right,”
A common grievance both Democrats and Republicans have with the current political landscape is the dehumanization of people that seems to be taking shape in America and the senseless acts of violence that it creates.
“In the United States of America, we must reject political violence in EVERY form.” said California Governor Gavin Newsom.
