Crime scene tape hangs in entrance of a 9/11 memorial on September 11, 2025 following the deadly taking pictures of political activist Charlie Kirk the day earlier than at Utah Valley College in Orem, Utah. Authorities have launched a “particular person of curiosity” as they seek for the suspect who shot and killed Kirk, founding father of Turning Level USA, whereas he was talking at an occasion for his “American Comeback Tour.”
Following the deadly taking pictures of proper wing activist and Turning Level USA chief Charlie Kirk on Wednesday, Midland-area politicians on either side of the aisle are condemning the act of political violence.
Kirk was shot whereas talking at Utah Valley College as a part of Turning Level USA’s “American Comeback Tour.” Kirk, an ally of Donald Trump, co-founded the group in 2012 and noticed it develop to have over 250,000 pupil members.
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Gov. Gretchen Whitmer gave her condolences to Kirk’s household in a publish on X on Wednesday afternoon.
“Considering of Charlie Kirk, his household, and the neighborhood at UVU after the horrific taking pictures,” Whitmer wrote. “We should always all come collectively to face up towards any and all types of political violence. It’s unacceptable.”
State Rep. Invoice G. Schuette (R-Midland) additionally expressed his condolences in a publish on X.
“I’m saddened on the demise of Charlie Kirk and horrified by this act of political violence,” Schuette wrote. “My prayers are together with his younger household and our nation.”
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The taking pictures spurred a large mixture of reactions on-line, with some making darkish jokes and others expressing sympathies as movies of the killing unfold on social media, the New York Times reported.
Sarah Schulz, a board member for the Midland County Democratic Social gathering, condemned on-line celebrations of the taking pictures in a press release given to the Day by day Information.
“Within the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, I’m horrified—not solely by the act itself, but additionally by among the responses I’ve seen from individuals on the Left. Let me be clear: celebrating political violence, irrespective of who the sufferer is, is morally unsuitable. We can’t hand over our values simply because leaders on the Proper have demonstrated they so typically can’t uphold theirs.”
U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay Metropolis) condemned the taking pictures in a publish on X.
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“The taking pictures of Charlie Kirk is immoral, un-American, and disgusting,” McDonald Rivet wrote. “We should always all pray for him and his household. The escalating political violence on this nation have to be a name to motion for each Democrats and Republicans. It must cease.”
U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar, a Midland native and Republican representing Michigan’s 2nd District, praised Kirk for his work with Turning Level USA.
“I’m deeply saddened by the lack of Charlie Kirk,” Moolenaar wrote on X. “He was a gifted speaker, principled, and cared for America’s youth. Most significantly, he was a husband and father who was taken far too quickly. Praying for his household this night, and for an finish to political violence in America.”
Congressman Tim Walberg, a Republican representing Michigan’s Fifth District, wrote on X on Wednesday that the nation had misplaced “a real champion of free speech.”
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“His dedication to defending the First Modification helped create areas the place college students really feel empowered to specific their beliefs with out worry,” Walberg wrote.
U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman, a Republican representing Michigan’s 1st District, additionally remembered Kirk as a free speech activist.
“These of us who worth free speech and conservative values vow to hold Charlie’s torch and go it on for generations to come back,” Bergman wrote. “Our prayers are with the whole Kirk household, his mates, and all these he impacted all through his life.”
Kirk’s posts on social media typically disparaged minority communities, the Guardian wrote. Jennifer Austin, chair of the Midland County Democratic Social gathering, stated that whereas Kirk’s feedback and actions have incited division in America, she stated the usage of violence in politics is deeply regarding.
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“Melissa and Mark Hortman, Paul Pelosi, Gabby Giffords, even Trump, and now Charlie Kirk have suffered from political violence,” Austin wrote in a press release despatched to the Day by day Information. “We will acknowledge the half that some individuals like Kirk and Trump have performed within the divisiveness and violent rhetoric that plagues our nation, however we should always by no means say that political violence towards anybody is justified. Our sympathies exit to the Kirk household and we hope for peace and therapeutic within the wake of this unspeakable tragedy.”
The specter of political violence hits near residence for Schulz, a former Democratic nominee for state consultant and county commissioner, who wrote that she worries in regards to the potential for violence at any political occasion she participates in.
“I’ve stood in entrance of crowds to talk as each an activist and as a candidate. And I’ll inform you truthfully: each single time, I search for the exits,” Schulz wrote. “Each single time, I scan the faces within the crowd, questioning who’s there and what they may be carrying with them.
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“The reality is, what occurred to Charlie Kirk might occur to any of us who dare to face in public and communicate our values out loud.”
