EAST TEXAS – The assassination death of Charlie Kirk, a 31-year-old conservative commentator, media figure and founder of Turning Point USA, sent shockwaves through the general public, as well as political circles.
Kirk, who was gunned down last Wednesday, Sept. 10, while delivering remarks at an appearance in Orem, Utah at Utah Valley University, was hailed as a pioneer of utilizing social media for political activism, and for energizing youth political engagement.
Following a manhunt for the shooter, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, of Utah, was arrested for Kirk’s murder. According to reports, prosecutors are looking at filing a capital murder charge against the suspect.
Leaders from both major parties were quick to pay tribute to Kirk and to condemn political violence.
President Donald Trump referred to Kirk in a post to Truth Social as “great, and even legendary,” and added that the young man “was loved and admired by all.”
Rep. Brian Babin (R-Woodville), of Texas’s 36th congressional district, made a statement on the day of Kirk’s death, and had added he had the honor of meeting him year ago.
“He was one of the finest young men,” Babin said. “I pray for his beautiful family, and may justice be swift for his killer.”
Gov. Greg Abbott weighed in on Kirk the day after the killing, saying that his wife, Cecilia, and he were heartbroken by the circumstances.
“Charlie’s voice was a beacon for millions of young Americans searching for truth, courage and conviction,” Abbott said. “This senseless act of violence has no place in America.”
Abbott also directed all state government buildings to lower the United States and Texas flags to fly at half-mast, commiserate with President Trump’s proclamation honoring Trump and directing all flags to fly half-staff last week, and returned at full-staff on Sunday, Sept. 14.
Colin Allred, a former Democratic congressman, from Dallas, and Senate candidate, who announced a new Senate candidacy recently, said “When you can’t go out and have a conversation with college kids on a campus and talk about your ideas without being afraid of some madman with a gun…then we all lose meaning.”
Allred added that the incident necessitates a “universal condemnation.”
Texas Education Agency commissioner Mike Morath issued a memorandum, statewide, to public school superintendents to encourage them to report any “inappropriate content” being shared or posted by educators in the wake of Kirk’s death to TEA through its Misconduct Reporting Portal.
There have already been two Houston-area districts – Goose Creek CISD and Pasadena ISA – that have issued public statements condemning comments made by employees on the matter.
Morath said that while the exercise of free speech “is a fundamental right we are all blessed to share, it does not give carte blanche authority to celebrate or sow violence against those that share differing beliefs and perspectives.”
