Leaders from both parties condemn the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Utah.
SAN ANTONIO — State, local and national leaders from both parties are condemning the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Kirk, 31, was shot and killed Wednesday at a college campus in Utah. As of Wednesday night, investigators were still searching for the shooter.
Many politicians quickly took to social media to denounce the violence and share condolences.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott wrote on X:
“Cecilia and I are heartbroken by the assassination and passing of Charlie Kirk. Charlie’s voice was a beacon for millions of young Americans searching for truth, courage, and conviction. This senseless act of violence has no place in America. Our prayers are with Charlie’s family and his loved ones, especially the two young children he leaves behind. Texas stands with them in mourning and in honoring Charlie’s enduring legacy.”
U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro of San Antonio posted:
“Political violence has no place in our society. My prayers are with Charlie Kirk and his family.”
U.S. Representative Tony Gonzales of San Antonio released a statement:
“We have a real problem in America that we must root out—senseless violence. I am devastated to see that Charlie Kirk’s life was taken so soon in such a public way. His young family are in my prayers. I pray that better days are ahead for our country.”
Meanwhile, Texas State Representative James Talarico was in San Antonio on Wednesday night to kick off his campaign for U.S. Senate. Instead, he devoted his entire speech to addressing Kirk’s death.
“Political violence has no place in America,” Talarico told the crowd.
He said he considered canceling the event but felt it was important to share his message.
“My faith—the faith I shared with Charlie Kirk—teaches me to love my neighbors as myself,” he said.
Kirk leaves behind two children. He was best known as the founder of Turning Point USA, a conservative group that promotes right-leaning values and political engagement on school campuses, including the University of Texas at San Antonio.
Weston Martinez, a local Turning Point USA faith leader, called Kirk’s killing a tragedy.
“It’s horrible, it’s bad. In our country, this is a dark day,” Martinez said.
He described Kirk as kind, opinionated and always willing to engage in open dialogue with people who disagreed with him. Martinez also stressed that condemning the assassination should unite all politicians.
“If anybody is assassinated, it impacts everybody. But if you have a political figure assassinated, it is not a Democrat or Republican issue, it is an American issue,” he said.
Bexar County Democratic Party Chair Michelle Lowe Solis echoed that sentiment.
“There’s been so much political violence. We need to make it stop,” Lowe Solis said. “So I’m hopeful politicians on both sides see a need to condemn this very strongly, and hopefully the nation can move forward together.”
Utah authorities said the shooter wore dark clothing and fired from a rooftop on campus at some distance. As of Wednesday night, no arrest had been made.