Politicians from across North Carolina offered condolences to the family of Charlie Kirk after he was shot and killed at an event for Turning Point USA in Utah.
According to authorities, Kirk died at the hospital after he was shot in the neck during the event on Wednesday afternoon at Utah Valley University. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox called the shooting a “political assassination.” Police charged one person with obstruction of justice and, as of 7 p.m. Wednesday, were interviewing a second “person of interest.”
Prayers for Kirk and his family poured in from all sides of the political spectrum. Roy Cooper, the Democratic candidate for Thom Tillis’s Senate seat in 2026, condemned the attack on Kirk and political violence in all forms.
“Violence must have no place in our country, and we should all remember our common humanity,” Cooper posted on X. “I am praying for [Charlie] Kirk’s family and loved ones.”
Michael Whatley, head of the RNC and the presumptive Republican frontrunner to replace Tillis, described Kirk as what “everyone wanted their son to grow up to be like,” and called his death a senseless tragedy.
“I will miss my friend, but know he is with our lord and Saviour right now being told, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant,” Whatley posted.
Tillis, who himself did not attend town halls out of fear of political violence and was also threatened by a U.S. citizen in Thailand, also said on X that political violence has no place in our country.
Kirk rose to prominence in 2016 when he supported President Donald Trump’s first presidential run. Kirk would later become the founder and CEO of Turning Point USA, a conservative outreach group aimed at students at high school, college and universities.
“Charlie was a fearless voice for freedom and an inspiration to a new generation of Americans,” said Rep. Richard Hudson, a Republican representing North Carolina’s 9th district in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Tim Moore, a Republican representing North Carolina’s 14th congressional district and former speaker of the NC House, said Kirk’s death is “what happens when you dehumanize those you disagree with.”
“Kirk was a warrior for what he believed in. It’s sick and un-American to call for or celebrate violence against someone you disagree with,” Moore said. “It needs to stop.”
This sentiment was shared across party lines.
“Political violence has no place in our country. Ever,” said Deborah Ross, a Democrat representing North Carolina’s 2nd congressional district.
Rep. Don Davis (D-NC), said on X he had previously worked with Kirk as part of the U.S. Airforce Acadamey Board of Visitors, which according to the Air Force Academy, “inquires into the morale, discipline, curriculum, instruction, physical equipment, fiscal affairs, academic methods and other matters relating to the Academy which the Board decides to consider.”
“Violence of any kind is unacceptable, and must be condemned in the strongest terms,” Davis said, while offering his prayers to Kirk’s family.
Congress had a moment of silence for Kirk during their session on Wednesday, and President Donald Trump ordered all flags at half-staff until Sunday in the wake of Kirk’s death.
