(This story was updated with new information.)
Turning Point USA founder and conservative leader Charlie Kirk was shot and killed at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, on Wednesday, Sept. 10, prompting quick condemnation from Gov. Gavin Newsom and several other California leaders over political violence.
President Trump confirmed Kirk’s death in a Truth Social 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!” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
Livestream video of the event showed crowds of people running from the university’s courtyard, where Kirk, 31, was holding a speaking event when the shooting occurred.
The university said a suspect had been taken into custody at 1:15 p.m. MT. Campus police declined to comment when reached by USA TODAY. But Scott Trotter, a university spokesman, told the New York Times police have determined the person who was taken into custody was not the shooter.
California politicians react to shooting death of Charlie Kirk
Former Vice President Kamala Harris said in a statement she is “deeply disturbed by the shooting in Utah.”
“Doug and I send our prayers to Charlie Kirk and his family,” Harris said on social media. “Let me be clear: Political violence has no place in America. I condemn this act, and we all must work together to ensure this does not lead to more violence.”
“The attack on Charlie Kirk is disgusting, vile, and reprehensible,” Gov. Gavin Newsom wrote on X. “In the United States of America, we must reject political violence in EVERY form.”
Sen. Alex Padilla called the shooting “reprehensible and sickening” on X and said he was praying for Kirk and his family.
“America was founded on the freedom to disagree,” Padilla wrote. “Political violence has no place in our democracy.”
Former Speaker of the House and Rep. Nancy Pelosi called for all Americans to pray over Kirk’s recovery and “hold the entire UVU community in our hearts as they endure the trauma of this gun violence.”
“The horrific shooting today at Utah Valley University is reprehensible,” said Pelosi, whose district includes San Francisco. “Political violence has absolutely no place in our nation.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said “we must all reject” political violence in a statement on X.
“I’m absolutely disgusted by today’s attack on Charlie Kirk,” Bass said. “Political violence in all forms is unacceptable and reprehensible.”
Meanwhile, Rep. Darrell Issa, whose district encompasses parts of San Diego and Riverside counties, wrote on X “Pray for @charliekirk11” on X. Similarly, Rep. Ken Calvert, whose district includes a swath of the Coachella Valley, said that he was praying for Kirk in a post on X.
“Today’s attack on Charlie Kirk is indescribably sickening,” said U.S. Rep. Doug LaMalfa, who represents a district in far Northern California, on Facebook and X just before President Trump confirmed Kirk was killed.
Rep. Josh Harder, who represents San Joaquin County as well as parts of Stanislaus and Contra Costa counties, said Kirk’s death was “absolutely horrible.”
“There is no place for political violence in our democracy,” he stated on social media. “Pam and I are praying for Charlie Kirk and everyone affected by today’s tragedy.”
“This sort of action severely limits public discourse, penalizing all Americans of all persuasions. Please pray for Charlie Kirk.”
Who is Charlie Kirk?
Kirk became a national figure as a conservative influencer and as the founder of Turning Point USA, an organization that pushes for conservative politics on high school and college campuses.
In 2024, he spoke at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where he gave a speech focusing on what Kirk says he heard from young people around the U.S.
He was married to Erika Kirk, an entrepreneur, and the father of two children. Their daughter was born in August 2022, and they had a son in 2024.
Paris Barraza is a trending reporter covering California news at The Desert Sun. Reach her at pbarraza@gannett.com.
USA TODAY contributed to this story.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: ‘We must reject political violence’: Newsom, CA leaders respond to Charlie Kirk killing
Reporting by Paris Barraza, Palm Springs Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
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