'Horrified': NYC Reacts After Conservative Activist Charlie Kirk Shot Dead At University Event

NEW YORK CITY — Charlie Kirk, co-founder and CEO of the conservative youth group Turning Point USA, was shot dead during a college event in Utah on Wednesday afternoon, and New York City officials from both sides of the aisle were quick to condemn the assassination.

Video from the event shows Kirk falling from his chair as a shot was fired in his lower neck.

"Horrified by news that Charlie Kirk has been shot," Governor Kathy Hochul posted on X. "Political violence has no place in our country."

New York City Mayor Eric Adams posted on X as well, saying, "I sat down for an interview with Charlie Kirk just last month, and I saw a passionate young man who loved his country. Devastated to now learn of his assassination. Political violence has no place in our nation. We must turn down the temperature and stand united against hate. I pray for Charlie’s family and loved ones."

President Donald Trump shared his sentiments after the shooting.

"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!!" said Trump on Truth Social.

Kirk had been speaking at a debate organized by his nonprofit.

The appearance was controversial on campus: an online petition urging administrators to block the event drew nearly 1,000 signatures.

In response, the university issued a statement last week citing the First Amendment and reaffirming its “commitment to free speech, intellectual inquiry, and constructive dialogue.”

Days earlier, Kirk posted on X about the backlash, sharing screenshots of local news coverage of his Utah campus tour with the caption: “What’s going on in Utah?”

Curtis Sliwa, a Republican candidate for mayor, said on X, "Charlie Kirk is dead at just 31. A wife and two young kids left behind. Unspeakably heartbreaking. Pray for his family."

The university confirmed that a “single shot” had been fired and said that a suspect is in custody.

Queens Assemblymember and Democratic candidate for mayor, Zohran Mamdani, posted on X that he is horrified by the shooting.

"I'm horrified by the shooting of Charlie Kirk at a college event in Utah. Political violence has no place in our country," he posted on X.

Former governor and candidate for mayor Andrew Cuomo said the shooting was a dark reminder that political violence has been normalized.

"The death of Charlie Kirk is a horrific reminder of how dangerous and normalized political violence has become in America," Cuomo posted on X. "We must stop celebrating division and start healing our country. Today I pray for Charlie‘s family and for all who loved him. And I pray for this nation."

Republican Congressmember Nicole Malliotakis, who represents parts of southern Brooklyn, said on X, "Political violence has no place in this country or any civilized society. This tragic assassination of a young man because of his political views should be condemned by all. We can’t survive as a nation if Americans are afraid to exercise their freedom of speech. Rest in peace, Charlie."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

This is a developing story and will be updated. For questions and tips, email Miranda.Levingston@Patch.com.