ANNAPOLIS, MD—The Maryland Freedom Caucus issued a statement Wednesday condemning the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at a campus event in Utah, attributing the violence to rising political division fueled by the left and calling for national unity against such attacks.
Kirk, the 31-year-old founder and CEO of Turning Point USA, a prominent right-wing youth organization, was shot in the neck while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem, about 45 miles south of Salt Lake City. He was pronounced dead later Wednesday, according to President Donald Trump, who described Kirk as a “great guy” and ally in a post on Truth Social.
The incident occurred around 12:10 p.m. local time during the kickoff of Kirk’s “American Comeback Tour,” drawing an estimated 1,000 attendees to the university’s quad near the food court. Videos circulating on social media showed Kirk addressing the crowd from a gazebo when a single gunshot rang out, causing him to collapse as blood poured from his neck. Witnesses described a chaotic scene, with screams and people fleeing as security rushed Kirk from the stage.
Utah Valley University immediately locked down the campus, canceled classes and closed facilities until further notice. A potential suspect was taken into custody shortly after, although he has since been released. The FBI is assisting in the investigation, with Director Kash Patel stating the agency was “closely monitoring” the situation.
In its statement, the Maryland Freedom Caucus, a conservative group of state lawmakers, expressed prayers for Kirk’s family and linked the shooting to broader political tensions. “This violent attack comes on the heels of the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump and represents yet another chilling moment in our nation’s history,” the group said. “The radical left has fueled division and hostility on college campuses and across the country, creating an environment where political violence against conservatives is no longer unthinkable.”
The caucus decried the incident as “an assault on the very foundation of our Republic” and urged politicians and media to cease “fueling this hatred.” It called for Americans of all political backgrounds to unite in rejecting violence, adding that the group remained in prayer for “peace and healing in our nation.”
Kirk’s death drew widespread condemnation across the political spectrum. Trump wrote on social media, “We must all pray for Charlie Kirk, who has been shot. GOD BLESS HIM!” Vice President JD Vance called Kirk a “genuinely good guy and a young father,” while former Vice President Kamala Harris said she was “deeply disturbed” and condemned the act. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, a Republican, vowed that those responsible would be “held fully accountable,” emphasizing that “violence has no place in our public life.”
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries echoed the sentiment, stating on X, formerly Twitter, that “political violence is NEVER acceptable” and offering thoughts and prayers to Kirk’s family.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore also condemned the fatal attack.
“I condemn in the strongest possible terms the attack on Charlie Kirk this afternoon at Utah Valley University,” said Gov. Moore. “As I have said in the past and as I will continue to say: Political violence is never acceptable. Ever. The First Lady and I are praying for him and his family at this time.”
The shooting comes amid heightened concerns over political violence in the U.S., following the July assassination attempt on Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania. Kirk, a vocal Trump supporter and podcaster with millions of followers, had faced protests and petitions at other tour stops, including one at Utah State University that garnered nearly 7,000 signatures.
Turning Point USA, co-founded by Kirk in 2012 while he was still in high school, promotes conservative values on college campuses and played a key role in mobilizing young voters for Trump. Kirk leaves behind his wife, Erika, and a young family.
Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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