Charlie Kirk Shot in Utah, Sparks โOutcryโ Against Political โคViolence
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – Charlie kirk, founder of Turningโ Point USA, was โshot Wednesday on โa college campus in Utah,โค prompting swift condemnation of political โคviolence from leaders across teh political spectrum. โThe โshooting has sent โขshockwaves through Washington and the conservativeโ movement, with many expressing concern for Kirk’s well-being.
Kirk, a key figure in mobilizing young voters for the Republican party, wasโ instrumental in increasing support among 18- โtoโ 24-year-olds for Republican candidates by double-digit margins in just four years, according to Republican operatives.โ thisโข surgeโ in youth support is widely credited with contributing to the GOP’s victories last year, allowing the party to retake the House, โSenate, and the presidency.
Former President donald Trump reacted toโ theโค newsโ on his truth Social platform, stating, โ”We must allโข pray forโ Charlie Kirk, โขwho has been โshot. A great guyโค from top to bottom. โGOD โฃBLESS HIM!”
The incident drew condemnation evenโ from political โขopponents. California Governor โคGavin โNewsom, who hosted Kirkโ on his podcast earlier thisโฃ year in an effort to reach young male voters, posted on X: “The attack on Charlie Kirkโข is nauseating, vile, and reprehensible. In the United States of America,we must reject political violenceโข in EVERY form.”
Vice President JD Vance also offeredโ prayers for Kirk’s recovery in a post on X, calling him “a genuinely good guy and a young father.”
Federal authorities are investigatingโ theโข shooting. Attorney Generalโ Pam Bondi confirmed the presence of federal agents at the scene,โข and FBI Director Kash Patel stated the FBIโ will beโค assisting with the investigation.The shooting hasโ evoked memoriesโ of attempts on Donald Trump’s life during the 2024โฃ presidential campaign, accordingโ to one White House official. Videos of theโ incident are circulating โคonline, fueling further dismay โand calls for unity against political violence.
Wilner reported from Washington, Ceballos from Tallahassee, Fla.