RivCo Reacts To Death Of Right-Wing Icon Charlie Kirk: 'Despicable Attack'

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Leaders from all over Riverside County reacted to the news that right-wing commentator and Turning Point USA CEO Charlie Kirk had been shot while speaking at a college event on Thursday.

President Donald Trump announced just before 2 p.m. that Kirk had died. He was 31.

Riverside Sheriff Chan Bianco was among the first to take to X, condemning the act.

"Denise and I are praying for Charlie Kirk," he wrote on X. "Violence has no place in politics. We can debate, we can disagree, but attacking [Charlie Kirk] — or anyone — for their beliefs is cowardly and un-American."

Denise and I are praying for Charlie Kirk.

Violence has no place in politics. We can debate, we can disagree, but attacking @charliekirk11 - or anyone - for their beliefs is cowardly and un-American.
— Sheriff Chad Bianco (@ChadBianco) September 10, 2025

Republican Riverside Rep. Ken Calvert said he was "Praying for Charlie Kirk," in a post on X, while Sen. Suzette Valladares, who represents parts of the Inland Empire, said she was "Horrified to hear about the attack on Charlie Kirk today."

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"My heart goes out to him and his family—lifting them in prayer," she wrote on X.

Rep. Young Kim, who represents parts of San Bernardino and Riverside counties, posted, "Praying for Charlie Kirk and his family."

Assemblymember Greg Wallis (R-Palm Springs) said "I absolutely condemn this despicable attack—it has no place in the United States of America."

"We must unite, reject all forms of political violence with unwavering resolve, and forge a stronger, peaceful path forward," he wrote on X.

Meanwhile, Lori Stone, Chair of the Republican Party of Riverside County, released a statement, condemning the violence as a "direct assault on the principles of free speech and civil discourse in America."

"Over the past year, we've seen a disturbing rise in politically motivated violence across this country," she wrote. "This must end. Every elected official, regardless of party, must denounce this cowardly act."

Chairwoman Stones statement on the shooting of Charlie Kirk pic.twitter.com/4BMDQ2FV5q
— Republican Party of Riverside County (@RivCoGOP) September 10, 2025

"The attack on Charlie Kirk is disgusting, vile, and reprehensible," California Gov. Gavin Newsom wrote on X at 11:43 a.m. "In the United States of America, we must reject political violence in EVERY form."

Six months ago, in an episode titled "And, This Is Charlie Kirk," Newsom shocked his base when he agreed with the 31-year-old from Illinois on the issue of transgender women competing in women's sports.

"I think it’s an issue of fairness. I completely agree with you on that," he said to Kirk. "It is an issue of fairness. It’s deeply unfair. I’m not wrestling with the fairness issue. I totally agree with you."

Sen. Alex Padilla, (D-California), wrote on Wednesdsay that the nation was "founded on the freedom to disagree."

"Political violence has no place in our democracy," Padilla said. "The shooting of Charlie Kirk is reprehensible and sickening. I am praying for him and his family during this time."

Kirk's death was announced on social media by Trump, who praised the 31-year-old Kirk, the co-founder and CEO of the youth organization Turning Point USA, as “Great, and even Legendary.”

“No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie,” Trump posted on his Truth Social account.

The suspected shooter has not been arrested, Orem, Utah, Mayor David Young said. A person who was taken into custody by law enforcement at the university where Kirk was speaking was not the suspect, according to a person familiar with the investigation who was not authorized to speak publicly.

Videos circulating on social media from Utah Valley University show Kirk under a white tent bearing the slogans “The American Comeback” and “Prove Me Wrong,” speaking into a handheld microphone.

A single gunshot is heard, and Kirk reaches toward his neck as blood pours from the left side. Gasps and screams erupt from the crowd before people scatter. The Associated Press confirmed the videos were filmed at the Sorensen Center courtyard on the UVU campus.

“We are confirming that he was shot and we are praying for Charlie,” said Aubrey Laitsch, a spokesperson for Turning Point USA.

Kirk was appearing at a debate organized by his nonprofit. Just before the shooting, he had been fielding questions from the audience about mass shootings and gun violence.

One attendee asked: “Do you know how many transgender Americans have been mass shooters over the last 10 years?” Kirk replied, “Too many.”

“Do you know how many mass shooters there have been in America over the last 10 years?” the questioner followed up.

Kirk responded: “Counting or not counting gang violence?”

Then a shot was fired.

The event itself had already stirred controversy on campus. Nearly 1,000 people signed an online petition urging administrators to cancel Kirk’s appearance.

The university declined, citing First Amendment protections and reaffirming its “commitment to free speech, intellectual inquiry, and constructive dialogue.”