Charlie Kirk speaks throughout a Turning Level USA “American Comeback Tour” occasion at Utah Valley College on Wednesday, Sept. 10, in Orem, Utah, shortly earlier than he was shot.
Photograph by Reuters
Conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was shot and killed on Wednesday whereas talking on the Utah Valley College (UVU) campus, drawing swift condemnation of political violence from New York political figures.
Kirk, 31, co-founded Turning Level USA, a nonprofit group that advocates for conservative politics on highschool, faculty, and college campuses. He was additionally a radio host and shut ally of President Donald Trump, usually credited with serving to mobilize younger conservative voters in final 12 months’s presidential election.
President Trump confirmed Kirk’s loss of life on Wednesday night by way of a put up on Fact Social, saying, “No one understood or had the heart of the youth in the United States of America better than Charlie.”
“He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika and family. Charlie, we love you,” Trump posted on Fact.
NYC pols denounce political violence
The tent the place conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was shot throughout a Turning Level USA “American Comeback Tour” occasion at Utah Valley UniversityPhoto by Reuters
New York lawmakers and political figures throughout the political divide had been fast to denounce the act of political violence instantly after the incident.
The 4 NYC mayoral candidates additionally weighed in.
Mayor Eric Adams mentioned, “We may disagree on the issues, but gun violence has no place in our country. Our prayers are with Charlie Kirk, his family, and everyone else affected by today’s shooting.”
Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo known as the incident “disturbing,” including: “While details and motivations are still unknown, my prayers are with Charlie Kirk, the students, and all impacted. Political violence is becoming too common and too often celebrated. It must be universally condemned by everyone, everywhere.”
Queens Meeting Member and mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani additionally weighed in: “I’m horrified by the shooting of Charlie Kirk at a college event in Utah. Political violence has no place in our country.”
Curtis Sliwa, the Republican mayoral candidate who survived a 1992 capturing, known as the assault “horrific” and urged Individuals to reject violence: “We must do better as a country in eradicating political violence … We are all Americans in the end. When I was shot, I was lucky to survive. Seeing this is gut-wrenching.”
U.S. Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer mentioned, “Political violence has no place in America. This shooting is horrifying, and I’m praying for Charlie Kirk and his family.”
Kirk was showing at UVU as a part of Turning Level’s “American Comeback Tour,” hosted by the college’s chapter of the group. Movies circulating on social media present Kirk sitting beneath a tent with the tour emblem when a gunshot is heard. He seems to recoil and stoop in his seat as blood flows from his neck. Viewers members may be heard screaming and speeding away.
College officers confirmed a single shot was fired on the occasion. The campus was positioned on lockdown, with courses canceled and college students instructed to shelter in place till escorted off campus by police.
“UVU campus is closed. Classes cancelled. Those on campus are secure in place until police officers can escort you safely off campus. We ask for your patience throughout this process. We are providing updates as best as possible. This is an ongoing and unfolding event,” UVU mentioned in an announcement, after confirming a single shot was fired on campus towards a visiting speaker.
In keeping with Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin on X, Kirk’s spouse, Erika, and their two youngsters had been reportedly on campus on the time.
