The White House, via YouTubeCredit: (Screenshot), The White House, via YouTube
‘My administration will find each and every one of those who contributed to this atrocity and to other political violence,’ the president said.
President Donald Trump vowed on Wednesday evening that his administration will identify those involved in the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.
The president said during an address to the nation that he was “filled with grief and anger” at the attack.
“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.”
The 31-year-old Kirk was speaking at Utah Valley University as the first of 14 planned stops at colleges and universities for Turning Point USA’s “American Comeback Tour,” which was set to run from Sept. 10 to Sept. 30.
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.
A second person of interest was also released after questioning by the FBI, Director Kash Patel said on Wednesday evening.
The Salt Lake City branch of the FBI established a tip line seeking information about the shooting. Officials currently believe that only one person was involved in the assassination.
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.
An advisory on Utah Valley University’s website said that the campus will be closed until Sept. 14 and all classes, events, and administrative operations suspended until then. Those on campus were told to secure in place “until police officers can escort you safely off campus.”
Tributes
Tributes have quickly poured in for Kirk, who has been in charge of Turning Point USA since founding the organization in 2012.
Trump announced in a post on Truth Social that he had ordered all American flags to be flown at half-mast until 6 p.m. ET on Sunday “in honor of Charlie Kirk, a Great American Patriot.”
In a repost of Trump’s post announcing Kirk’s death, Vice President JD Vance wrote on X, “Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.”
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.
Like Trump, Cox ordered flags in Utah to be flown at half-mast until Sunday evening.
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.
“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,” former President Barack Obama said in a statement on X. “Michelle and I will be praying for Charlie’s family tonight, especially his wife Erika and their two young children.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) called the shooting “horrifying” in a post on X, and said he would be praying for Kirk’s family.
“Political violence has no place in America,” Schumer wrote.
Similar sentiments were expressed by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.).
“Political violence is NEVER acceptable,” Jeffries wrote on X. “My thoughts and prayers are with Charlie Kirk and his family.”
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.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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