United States Catholic bishops and public officials called for prayer after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed during an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Source: OSV News.
Mr Kirk was 31 and a married father with two young children. He was shot in the neck on Wednesday (local time), reportedly by a sniper from a campus building. The suspect is still at large, and a manhunt is underway, according to law enforcement officials.
In a statement, President Donald Trump said, “The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead.
“No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie,” Mr Trump said.
“To whoever did this, we will find you,” Utah Governor Spencer Cox said at a press conference.
A staunch ally of Mr Trump, Mr Kirk was the founder of the Republican-aligned Turning Point USA. He was being hosted by that organisation’s chapter at the university for his “American Comeback Tour.”
Bishop Oscar Solis of Salt Lake City said in a statement, “My heart goes out to the family of Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed today at Utah Valley University.
“I will pray for the repose of his soul,” Bishop Solis said. “I am also praying for all who were affected, especially those who were present at the event on campus, the many people who admired Mr Kirk, and most particularly his family. Meanwhile, I continue to pray for all the victims of gun violence throughout the years and their families.
“It is appalling that senseless acts of violence such as this continue to occur,” he said. “It seems that our society has lost the sense of the sanctity of life, and I pray that our government will undertake appropriate measures to stop these horrible crimes.”
Vice President JD Vance and California Governor Gavin Newsom, both Catholics, were among the first officials across the aisle who offered their reactions on social media, calling for prayer and condemning political violence, respectively.
FULL STORY
Bishops, officials call for prayer after conservative activist Charlie Kirk shot and killed (By Kate Scanlon, OSV News)
