Politics & Government

Charlie Kirk fatally shot in Utah: Arizona figures react

The founder of Arizona-based Turning Point USA was shot in the neck at an event at Utah Valley University. He was 31.
charlie kirk
Charlie Kirk was reportedly shot at an event in Utah.

Gage Skidmore/Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0

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Conservative activist and Arizona resident Charlie Kirk was shot during a visit to a Utah college campus and died Wednesday afternoon.

Kirk was holding an event at Utah Valley University. Video shared on social media showed him sitting at a table under a covering on a lawn, surrounded by hundreds of attendees. During a back-and-forth with the audience, Kirk suddenly jerked back, blood spilling from his neck. The crowd scattered in a panicked scramble.

Initial reports of a suspect in custody proved to be incorrect. As of mid-afternoon on Wednesday, the shooter was still at large.

The 31-year-old Kirk rose to be a power player in conservative politics largely via campus speaking and debate tours. Through twin Arizona-based organizations, Turning Point USA and Turning Point Action, he grew to wield broad influence over the Republican Party and young conservatives in particular. He had a close association with President Donald Trump and has advocated for far-right positions on abortion, transgender rights and immigration.

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Here is what major political figures, in Arizona and beyond, are saying.

How Arizona and America reacted to Kirk’s death

Gov. Katie Hobbs

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Sen. Ruben Gallego

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Sen. Mark Kelly

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Rep. Andy Biggs

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Warren Peterson, Arizona Senate President

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Rachel Mitchell, Maricopa County Attorney

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Gina Swobda, Republican Party of Arizona chair

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Stephen Richer, former recorder of Maricopa County

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Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego

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Rep. David Schweikert

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Karrin Taylor Robinson, Republican gubernatorial hopeful

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Vice President J.D. Vance

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Reactions to the initial news of Kirk’s shooting

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Kari Lake

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs

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Sen. Mark Kelly

Rep. Abe Hamadeh

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Rep. Yassamin Ansari

Rep. Andy Biggs

Rep. Juan Ciscomani

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Rep. Greg Stanton

Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes

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Arizona governor candidate Karrin Taylor Robson

Arizona attorney general candidate Rodney Glassman

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Former Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer

Arizona state Sen. Jake Hoffman

Arizona state Sen. Analise Ortiz

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