President Donald Trump vowed on Wednesday evening that his administration will identify those involved in the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.
“My administration will find each and every one of those who contributed to this atrocity and to other political violence, including the organizations that fund it and support it, as well as those who go after our judges, law enforcement officials, and everyone else who brings order to our country,” Trump said.
The perpetrator, who fatally shot Kirk during a speaking event in Utah on Wednesday afternoon, remains at large. Two people of interest were questioned in relation to the assassination, but were later released.
“Radical and political violence has hurt too many innocent people and taken too many lives,” Trump said.
“Tonight, I ask all Americans to commit themselves to the American values for which Charlie Kirk lived and died: the values of free speech, citizenship, the rule of law, and the patriotic devotion and love of God. Charlie was the best of America, and the monster who attacked him was attacking our whole country.”
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox described the attack as politically motivated, saying at a Wednesday evening press conference, “I want to be very clear that this is a political assassination.”
Fatal Shooting Occurred During Q&A
When the shooting occurred, Kirk was sitting under a tent in the center of a wide amphitheater-style area of the campus, taking questions from the audience while sitting behind his “Prove Me Wrong Table.”When he was shot, he was discussing gun violence in the United States.
“Do you know how many mass shooters there have been in America over the last 10 years?” a young person at the microphone asked Kirk.
“Counting or not counting gang violence?” Kirk replied.
As he lowered the microphone, a gunshot could be heard before Kirk’s body went limp and he fell out of his chair. Graphic videos of the attack show blood pouring from Kirk’s neck.
Chaos ensued as members of the audience realized what was happening. Shouts and cries were heard. Many in the audience could be seen dropping to the ground and scrambling to get away.
Staff near the table quickly moved toward Kirk.
Suspect at Large
Though two individuals have been questioned about the shooting, the culprit remains at large.An initial arrest was conducted around the time of the shooting. However, that individual was ruled to have not been involved and was later released.
Beau Mason, commissioner of the Utah Department of Public Safety, provided the limited details that were available, all pulled from low-quality campus security camera footage.
Mason said the suspected assassin was “dressed in all dark clothing; we don’t have a much better description.”
He added that the shot came from a location on campus. Mason described it as a “longer distance shot” that was “potentially from a roof.”
Aside from the FBI and Utah Department of Public Safety, police in Orem and at Utah Valley University are also offering assistance.
Tributes
Tributes have quickly poured in for Kirk, who has been in charge of Turning Point USA since founding the organization in 2012.Cox said on X that he and his wife, Abby, are “heartbroken.”
“We are praying for Charlie’s wife, daughter, and son,” the governor said.
Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. called Kirk a “relentless and courageous crusader for free speech.”
“We pray for Erika and the children. Charlie is already in paradise with the angels. We ask his prayers for our country,” Kennedy said.
Top Democrats condemned the assassination.
“Political violence has no place in America,” Schumer wrote.
Similar sentiments were expressed by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.).
Kirk’s Legacy
Since he came to the national stage with his political activism group in 2012, Kirk has been one of the most influential and well-known conservative speakers.Through his 13 years at the head of Turning Point USA, Kirk became famous for his “man on the street” style engagements with college students, often featuring debates on topics ranging from abortion to health care to illegal immigration.
In May 2019, Kirk launched Turning Point Action, a nonprofit with the goal of electing conservative leaders.
In 2021, he founded Turning Point Faith, which aimed to engage pastors and other church leaders in local and national politics.
From October 2020 until his death, Kirk hosted “The Charlie Kirk Show,” a daily three-hour radio show on the Christian group Salem Media’s “The Answer” radio channel.
