New York politicians are condemning political violence after conservative influencer Charlie Kirk was shot and killed Sept. 10 while speaking at an event at a university in Utah.
Kirk, 31, was participating in a question-and-answer session with Utah Valley University students in Orem, Utah Wednesday afternoon at the time of the shooting, USA TODAY reported. A suspect had been taken into custody as of 1:15 MT, however a university spokesperson told the New York Times that police had determined the person who was taken into custody was not the shooter.
President Donald Trump took to his platform Truth Social following reports of the shooting, initially asking for his followers to pray for Kirk.
At 4:40 p.m., Trump posted that Kirk had died.
“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead,” Trump wrote. 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!”
Southern Tier, New York state politicians react to Kirk shooting
On X, Rep. Nick Langworthy, who represents much of the Southern Tier in New York’s 23rd district, said, “I am horrified by the shooting of Charlie Kirk. My prayers are with him and his family as they face this unspeakable act of violence.
“Political violence has no place in America. How many more assassination attempts and politically motivated attacks will it take before Democrat leaders finally speak out? Their silence is unacceptable. Enough is enough.”
Rep. Josh Riley (D-19th District), who represents Ithaca and Binghamton, posted on X, “The shooting of Charlie Kirk is sickening and heartbreaking. We must take the temperature down and reject political violence always and everywhere. Praying for his family and everyone impacted.”
Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer of New York denounced Kirk’s shooting, saying on X that “Political violence has no place in America. This shooting is horrifying, and I’m praying for Charlie Kirk and his family.”
Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York’s 21st district posted to her Facebook page that she was “praying for Charlie Kirk” after she read the news of the shooting.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul joined others in decrying political violence.
“Horrified by news that Charlie Kirk has been shot,” Hochul wrote on her X account. “Political violence has no place in our country.”
Congressman Mike Lawler, who represents the Lower Hudson Valley’s 17th district, called the shooting “a horrific act of political violence,” on Instagram.
“Praying for his safety and for his family in this trying time,” Lawler’s post continues. “We must reject and condemn political violence in all its forms.”
House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York’s 8th congressional district wrote “political violence is never acceptable” on his X account Wednesday afternoon. “My thoughts and prayers are with Charlie Kirk and his family.”
Kamala Harris reacts to Charlie Kirk shooting
Former Vice President Kamala Harris joined other prominent Democrats in decrying the act.
“I am deeply disturbed by the shooting Utah. Doug and I send our prayers to Charlie Kirk and his family,” the 2024 Democratic presidential nominee wrote on X. “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.”
(This is a developing story and will update.)
Contributing: USA TODAY
Email Neal Simon at nsimon@gannett.com. To get unlimited access to the latest news, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Charlie Kirk dies in shooting at college Q&A: NY politicians react, Langworthy ‘horrified’
Reporting by Neal Simon, Ashley Catherine Fontones, Michael P. McKinney and N’dea Yancey-Bragg, Elmira Star-Gazette / Elmira Star-Gazette
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
