Cherry Hill Officials Condemn Assassination Of Charlie Kirk

CHERRY HILL, NJ — Cherry Hill officials condemned the killing of Charlie Kirk and "all acts of political violence."

Kirk, a conservative activist and close ally to President Donald Trump, was shot by a sniper during a speaking engagement outdoors Wednesday at Utah Valley University. The manhunt for the shooter remains underway as of Thursday morning.

The shooter's motive and political leanings are unknown. But politicians on both sides of the aisle have condemned the killing and called it another instance of political violence befalling the nation.

Cherry Hill Mayor David Fleisher and the Township Council — all Democrats — joined the chorus Wednesday after Kirk was pronounced dead.

"Mayor Fleisher and Town Council condemn all acts of political violence, including today’s tragedy," they said in a joint statement. "In the last year, we’ve witnessed a disturbing rise in similar violent attacks across our nation. There is no place for this evil conduct in a democratic society."

The incident marks the latest shooting against an American political figure.

In June, a gunman shot two Minnesota lawmakers, assassinating State Rep. Melissa Hortman in her home. Gov. Tim Walz called it "an act of targeted political violence."

Last year, Trump survived an assassination attempt during a rally in western Pennsylvania. Cherry Hill's officeholders made a similar statement condemning the shooting.

With reporting from the Associated Press.