'Cowardly Act Of Evil': CT Reacts After Conservative Activist Charlie Kirk Is Shot Dead At University Event

Connecticut leaders have taken to social media to condemn the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

On X, Gov. Ned Lamont posted, "Political violence of any kind has no place in our country and is never acceptable. The tragic attack on Charlie Kirk today is absolutely awful."

Kirk was fatally shot Wednesday during an event at Utah Valley University, according to President Donald Trump. Video from the event shows Kirk falling from his chair as a shot was fired in his lower neck.

"The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead," Trump said in a Truth Media post. "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!"

The incident occurred at 12:10 p.m. Videos circulating online appear to show Kirk recoiling after a shot was heard, with blood pouring from his neck. He is seen discussing gang violence and mass shootings just prior to the attack in the videos.

See Also: 5 Things To Know About Charlie Kirk

• Charlie Kirk Shooter In Custody After Conservative Activist Killed In Utah: FBI

"This is so tragic," Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy posted on X. "The endless horror of gun violence in this country should be unacceptable to all of us. And there can be no tolerance for political violence in America."

"This was a sick, disgusting, cowardly act of evil," State Senate Minority Leader Stephen Harding said in a statement issued on behalf of the Connecticut Senate Republican Caucus shortly after the attack. "We condemn any and all political violence."

House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora praised Kirk as a "passionate patriot who courageously articulated his beliefs and worked tirelessly to change hearts and minds through words and ideas. His assassination is shocking, depressing, and deeply frightening. I had thought the assassination attempt on President Trump represented the low point of American political violence in my lifetime, but tragically, this senseless killing of a man dedicated to thoughtful discourse has taken us even lower."

Republican Sen. Ryan Fazio, who represents the 36th Senate District, told his followers on X that "This is a dreadful moment. Political violence is anathema to America and can never be condoned."

Fazio said Kirk "dedicated himself to debate and discourse which is the correct and genuinely American antidote to political violence. We cannot let our country turn to this. The shooting of an advocate—or any American—exercising their rights cannot be excused, ignored or forgotten. This must stop."

Sen. Tony Hwang (R-28) called Kirk "not only a passionate political voice but also a devoted husband and father, loving son, and a tireless advocate for the rights of all Americans. His unwavering commitment to the youth of our nation inspired countless individuals, and his legacy will endure through the values he championed."

Connecticut Democrats wrote on X, "Connecticut Democrats strongly condemn the shooting of Charlie Kirk. Our thoughts are with Charlie and his family, and all of the students and attendees whose lives have been forever changed today. We are living in toxic and terrifying times, but we can and we must find ways to solve our disagreements peacefully. Guns have no place in political discourse."

A law enforcement official briefed earlier in the afternoon on the shooting told The Associated Press Wednesday that Kirk was being treated and was in critical condition.

The university had initially reported via social media that a suspect was in custody. However, university spokesman Scott Trotter later told the New York Times the person taken into custody was not actually the shooter.

A university spokeswoman, Ellen Treanor, told the New York Times that Kirk was struck about 20 minutes after he began speaking on campus. She said a suspect had fired at Kirk from the Losee Center, a building about 200 yards away.

Kirk, 31, was the CEO and co-founder of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA, an American nonprofit organization that advocates for conservative politics on high school, college, and university campuses, according to the company.

The police have determined that a person who was taken into custody after the shooting was not actually the shooter, according to Scott Trotter, a university spokesman. The university had earlier said a suspect was in custody.

The university announced following the shooting that the campus was closed and that classes would be canceled "until further notice." University officials asked that students "leave campus immediately."

The shooting comes amid a spike in political violence in the United States across all parts of the ideological spectrum, reports the Associated Press. The attacks include the assassination of a Minnesota state lawmaker and her husband at their house in June, the firebombing of a Colorado parade to demand Hamas release hostages, and a fire set at the house of Pennsylvania’s governor, who is Jewish, in April. Trump himself was shot during a campaign rally last year.

Lamont has announced that – in accordance with a proclamation from President Donald Trump ordering flags throughout the United States to be lowered as a mark of respect for the memory of Charlie Kirk – he is ordering U.S. and state flags in Connecticut to be flown at half-staff effective immediately and remain lowered through sunset on Sunday, Sept. 14.

With Patch Editor Eric DeGrechie and The Associated Press.