The tragic shooting of conservative commentator and activist Charlie Kirk during a speech at Utah Valley University has sparked widespread condemnation from political leaders in San Diego County. Kirk, who was 31 years old, was in the middle of a speech when a gunshot rang out, leading to panic among the attendees as they scrambled for safety.
Reports from the Associated Press indicated that initially, Kirk was considered to be in critical condition. However, by 1:45 p.m. PST, President Donald Trump announced via social media that Kirk had died.
President Trump expressed his sorrow, stating, “The great, and even legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. 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!”
In the aftermath of the shooting, campus security initially apprehended a suspect. However, law enforcement later stated that the individual detained was not considered to be the shooter. FBI Director Kash Patel later announced that another person of interest had been taken into custody, but that person was released after questioning later in the day.
The incident created a frenzied atmosphere on campus, as attendees fled in panic following the gunfire. Kirk was well-known for co-founding Turning Point USA, an organization focused on promoting conservative values in high schools and universities.
Following the shooting, political leaders from various affiliations in San Diego condemned the violence.
Rep. Juan Vargas, a Democrat from San Diego, labeled the attack “horrifying” and emphasized that political violence is “never acceptable. Never.”
Another Democrat, Rep. Scott Peters, echoed this sentiment on social media, stating, “The attack on Charlie Kirk is horrific. As Americans, we must be able to disagree on politics and stand together condemning all forms of political violence.”
Rep. Sara Jacobs also voiced her disapproval, tweeting, “I fully condemn this shooting. It adds to the feeding frenzy of political violence in our country, which makes all of us less safe and scares us into submission and silence.”
State Sen. Brian Jones, a Republican from Santee, described the shooting as “a purely evil act, the type for which there is no place in civil society.” He highlighted that America’s greatness stems from its capacity for open debate and expression of differing opinions, urging against allowing political discourse to descend into hatred and violence.
Rep. Mike Levin, another Democrat, remarked on the horrific nature of the shooting, insisting that political violence has no place in America. He encouraged people to engage in fierce debate without succumbing to anger and hate.
Assemblymember Carl DeMaio, a Republican, condemned the violence as an act that undermines the foundations of democracy. He also pointed fingers at critics of conservatives, claiming that inflammatory language can dehumanize individuals with differing viewpoints and incite violence.
Activist Shane Harris, who has publicly debated Kirk, expressed his condolences and reiterated that violence is unacceptable in any political context. He stressed the deplorable nature of the incident and the need for civil discourse in society.
Even Governor Gavin Newsom, who previously interviewed Kirk on his podcast, condemned the act as “disgusting, vile, and reprehensible.” Newsom called for a collective rejection of political violence in all forms across the nation.
The shooting of Charlie Kirk serves as a tragic reminder of the concerning rise in political violence in America, prompting officials and citizens alike to advocate for a return to respectful and peaceful dialogue.
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