(The Center Square) – Popular political activist and Illinois native Charlie Kirk was shot Wednesday while at a public outdoor event in Utah.
The news and video of the shooting spread online quickly. Kirk was speaking in front of at least hundreds of people at Utah Valley University for a “Prove Me Wrong” event. Kirk’s was listed in critical condition as of mid-Wednesday afternoon. Video showed Kirk getting struck in the neck.
President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social, “We must all pray for Charlie Kirk, who has been shot.” Trump called him “a great guy from top to bottom.”
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker was asked about it at an unrelated event Wednesday.
“First, I want to express my sympathy to Charlie Kirk’s family and to Charlie Kirk, who obviously, has, you know, become a target for somebody,” Pritzker said. “I don’t know whether it’s political violence because I don’t know who did it. I know they seem to have somebody in custody, but I will say that political violence, unfortunately, has been ratcheting up in this country.”
Pritzker said political violence is not acceptable.
“We saw the shootings. The killings in Minnesota. We’ve seen other political violence, occur in other states. And I would just say, it’s got to stop,” Pritzker said. “And I think there are people who are fomenting it in this country.”
Pritzker said Trump’s rhetoric “often foments it.” Pritzker has been widely criticized for referencing Nazis several times during his budget address earlier this year and for his other anti-Trump rhetoric.
Kirk, 31, was born in Arlington Heights and created Turning Point USA, a popular conservative organization focused on politics at college campuses.
Illinois U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Schaumburg, released a statement and said he is horrified by the news. He said in this country, “political violence must be unacceptable in every form, and we must stand together to reject it.” The Democrat, who is running for the U.S. Senate, also said if violence replaces dialogue, none of us are safe.”