Politics

‘Nothing short of horrific’: Mass. politicians react to fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk

The conservative activist and Trump ally died Wednesday at 31 after he was shot during a political event at a Utah college.

Conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed Wednesday during a political event at a Utah college.
Conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed Wednesday during a political event at a Utah college. Tess Crowley/The Deseret News via AP

By Darin Zullo

3 minutes to read

Massachusetts politicians denounced political violence after right-wing activist and MAGA ally Charlie Kirk was fatally shot Wednesday during a political event at a Utah college.

“Violence has no place in our politics — ever,” Gov. Maura Healey wrote on X. “What happened to Charlie Kirk is horrific and we condemn it in the strongest possible terms. The growth of political violence in our country must be stopped.”

The Turning Point USA co-founder and CEO was shot in the neck as he took questions during a debate at Utah Valley University. Kirk was speaking with an audience member about gun violence and mass shootings in the United States.

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“Do you know how many mass shooters there have been in America over the last 10 years?” the audience member asked Kirk.

“Counting or not counting gang violence?” Kirk replied.

Immediately after this exchange, a single shot rang out, and blood could be seen gushing from Kirk’s neck, according to videos posted to social media. Spectators fled the scene.

“This shooting is nothing short of horrific,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren wrote on X shortly after news of the shooting broke. “I’m praying for Charlie Kirk and thinking of the students at the event in Utah. Political violence has no place in our country — it’s never ok.”

Later that day, Kirk died from his injuries. President Donald Trump announced Kirk’s death on Truth Social at 4:40 p.m., calling him “Great, and even Legendary.” MassGOP wrote in a statement that they were “devastated” to learn of Kirk’s death.

“Through his work engaging young people, Charlie had the pulse of college campuses like no one else,” Massachusetts Republican Party Chair Amy Carnevale wrote in a statement. “His aim was to bring thoughtful and civilized discussions to our young people. Tonight and forever he will be missed.”

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Law enforcement arrested someone in connection with the shooting, then released them after questioning, FBI Director Kash Patel said on X. Authorities have not publicly identified a suspect but said they had no reason to believe more than one person was involved.

Rep. Ayanna Pressley sent condolences to Kirk’s family and said she was praying for “The UVU community.”

“Though I disagree with nearly everything he said publicly, I never lose sight of others’ humanity,” the congresswoman wrote on X. “He was someone’s son. He was someone’s husband. He was a father to two young children.”

“We must denounce political violence in all its forms,” Sen. Ed Markey wrote on X. “I condemn the shooting of Charlie Kirk. There must be no place for this heinous violence in America.”

Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn said he was praying for Kirk and his family.

“Political violence has no place in our nation. Our prayers are with the family of Charlie Kirk, especially his wife Erika and their two young children,” he wrote on X Wednesday night.

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