Centre County and Pennsylvania lawmakers were quick to condemn political violence and express condolences following the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on Wednesday in Utah.
The 31-year-old Kirk, who played a pivotal role in rallying youth support for President Donald Trump, was shot and killed during an event at Utah Valley University in what the state’s governor called a political assassination carried out from a rooftop.
No suspect was in custody late Wednesday, though authorities were searching for a new person of interest, the Associated Press reported. Two people were detained earlier in the day but neither was determined to have had any connection to the shooting and both have been released, Utah public safety officials said.
A close ally of Trump, Kirk was the founder of conservative youth organization Turning Point USA and visited Penn State several times, most recently last fall.
Trump announced his death on Wednesday afternoon and later said it was a “dark moment for America,” calling Kirk “a martyr for truth and freedom”
The shooting drew swift condemnation from officials on both sides of the political aisle, across the U.S. and in Pennsylvania, where a number of statewide and Centre County leaders offered statements on social media.
U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson, R-Howard Township
“Penny and I are praying for Charlie Kirk and his young family. This is extremely sad and tragic. Political violence has no place in this country.”
State Rep. Paul Takac, D-College Township
“Nothing can justify today’s shooting of Charlie Kirk. Political violence is always wrong and must have no place in a free and democratic society. I pray for his family and that his killer is swiftly brought to justice with no further loss of life.”
State Rep. Scott Conklin, D-Rush Township
“My prayers are with Charlie Kirk’s loved ones and all who have been impacted by this horrible tragedy. Political violence is never the answer.”
“Political violence has no place in our country. We must speak with moral clarity. The attack on Charlie Kirk is horrifying and this growing type of unconscionable violence cannot be allowed in our society.”
“People deserve to be safe at school, safe on their campus, and safe in their community. Full stop. The shooting of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University is horrifying and targeting anyone for their speech or their beliefs is unacceptable. Gun violence is uniquely an American problem and it is one we can and must do something about.”
U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa.
“I condemn this in the strongest terms,” Fetterman wrote after the shooting but prior to reports that Kirk had died. “There is ZERO place in our great country for these horrendous acts of political violence. We must find a better way forward.”
“Our family grieves for Charlie Kirk’s family,” he wrote after Kirk’s death was confirmed. “We must collectively find a way forward during these polarized times.”
U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pa.
“Dina and I are heartbroken to learn that Charlie Kirk has passed away. He was a good man and a good friend with a beautiful young family. His murder is an outrage. Violence is never the answer—no matter your politics. What happened today is horrifying, and must stop. Dina and I will continue to hold his family and all those close to him in our hearts.”
The shooting appeared poised to become part of a spike of political violence that has touched a range of ideologies and representatives of both major parties. The attacks include the assassination of a Minnesota state lawmaker and her husband at their house in June, the firebombing of a Colorado parade to demand Hamas release hostages, and a fire set at the Shapiro’s home in April. The most notorious of these events is the shooting of Trump during a campaign rally last year.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
