Alabama Officials Respond After Conservative Activist Charlie Kirk Shot And Killed In Utah

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been updated from its original publication with new information and additional comments.

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Elected officials in Alabama are speaking out after conservative activist and organizer Charlie Kirk was shot and killed Wednesday at an event on a college campus in Utah.

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Kirk is the co-founder of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA and was reportedly shot in the neck while speaking at Utah Valley University — the largest public university in Utah —less than an hour away from Salt Lake City.

The Associated Press reported in the immediate aftermath that Kirk could be seen speaking into a handheld microphone while sitting under a white tent featuring slogans “The American Comeback” and “Prove Me Wrong" when the lone shot rang out.

President Donald Trump confirmed on his social media platform Truth Social that Kirk died, saying, "The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!"

Nothing has been confirmed about the suspect responsible for the shooting as of the publication of this story.

Kirk most recently visited Tuscaloosa in November 2021 as part of his “Exposing Critical Racism Tour," where he spoke to a large group of UA students at Hotel Capstone.

"The murder of Charlie Kirk is sickening," Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox said in a social media post. "America must never be a place where political views and voices are silenced through violence. Charlie’s wife, children, family and friends deserved to have him in their lives. Our family will be praying for God’s grace to all those who loved Charlie."

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey also took to social media to express her condolences for the conservative firebrand.

"All of us in Alabama are wrapping the Kirk family in prayer during this unimaginable time of loss. Charlie was a husband, father and patriot. I hope and pray his mission to have good dialogue continues."

Concerns for Kirk extended across the aisle among Alabama's congressional delegation, with Democrat Congresswoman Terri Sewell posting on social media, "Political violence has NO PLACE in the United States of America. I join in praying for Charlie Kirk and his family."

Other Alabama lawmakers and officials also offered up their prayers and support in the wake of the shooting.

This is a developing story. Tuscaloosa Patch will have more information as it becomes available.