By Matthew Holloway |
Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist leader and co-founder of Turning Point USA and Turning Point Action, was silenced by an assassin’s bullet at Utah Valley University (UVU) on Wednesday.
As Kirk took questions in his well-known debate format, seated beneath a tent as part of The American Comeback Tour, a single loud shot rang out across the open air.
Kirk was addressing a question on the recent string of mass shootings involving transgender Americans in what would be his last public exchange.
“Do you know how many transgender Americans have been mass shooters over the last 10 years?” Kirk was asked.
“Too many,” Kirk replied.
The individual answered that there were five.
“Do you know how many mass shooters there have been in America over the last 10 years?” Kirk was then asked.
He responded, “Counting or not counting gang violence?”
Within a fraction of a second, Kirk was shot and seen reacting immediately as it struck the left side of his neck. He bled profusely and slumped to the ground.
Kirk was rapidly airlifted from the scene to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead a little over two hours later.
A person of interest was arrested shortly after the shooting at the university but was later released. However, at 3:31 p.m. MDT, FBI Director Kash Patel announced the arrest of a second subject, who was also subsequently released after questioning. The assassin is still at large as of this report.
Turning Point USA is based in Arizona and has been a major force in state and local politics as well as on the national scale since Kirk moved the organization’s headquarters from Chicago to Phoenix in 2018.
Arizona officials from both sides of the aisle issued statements following the assassination of Kirk. Arizona House Speaker Steve Montenegro stated, “God bless American hero Charlie Kirk and his family. His horrific assassination today is a devastating tragedy that strikes at the heart of our nation. Charlie was a fearless voice who inspired millions with his faith, his devotion to freedom, and his conviction to defend America’s founding principles.”
Montenegro added, “This was political terrorism. Violence aimed at silencing any voices must be confronted and dealt with justly and without hesitation. Charlie is now with his Heavenly Father, but his legacy will endure in the movement he built, the young people he awakened, and the truth he spoke without apology.”
Arizona GOP Chairwoman Gina Swoboda issued a statement saying in part, “Charlie was a passionate advocate and defender of the principles of open dialogue, the free exchange of ideas, and free speech. Values which are at the very core of the American idea. I pray that his loss serves as a poignant and lasting reminder to all Americans of how fundamental these values are to who we are as a country and why we must never condone or excuse acts of political violence.”
She added, “I know that I speak for all Arizona Republicans when I say that our prayers are with his wife Erika, her children, and the entire Kirk family. May God bless Charlie’s soul.”
In a post to X, Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen responded to Kirk’s assassination, saying, “I am absolutely shocked, sickened, and outraged to hear about the passing of Charlie Kirk. Today was a dark day where evil was on full display. He was singular, indispensable, and irreplaceable. America will not be the same without him.”
The top-ranking Democrats in Arizona, Governor Katie Hobbs and Attorney General Kris Mayes, condemned “the violent attack” and “the horrific act of violence against Charlie Kirk,” respectively.
Congressman Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ08) wrote in a statement:
“Charlie Kirk was a force to be reckoned with. He was a Happy Warrior for the conservative cause.
He was martyred doing what he did best – talking to young people and sharing ideas. That is what is supposed to happen on our college campuses, and throughout our country: sharing diverse opinions and entertaining others’ points of view in the pursuit of a brighter future.
We will not let a lone gunman snuff out the bright fire Charlie lit in the hearts of young patriots who share the America First agenda and make up the Make America Great Again Movement, nor will we stop our efforts to bridge the political divide through conversation.
We will carry on what he started and build on his lasting legacy of inspiring the next generation of American leaders.
I urge everyone to join me in praying for the soul of this faithful patriot, his beautiful family, and our country.”
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
