‘Extremely sad and tragic.’ Rep. Thompson, PA leaders react to Charlie Kirk’s death
Politicians in Centre County and beyond are sharing their prayers for conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s family after he was shot and killed Wednesday during a rally at Utah Valley University.
Kirk was the co-founder and CEO of Turning Point USA, a conservative organization dedicated to organizing high school and college students and promoting “principles of free markets and limited government,” its website states. Turning Point USA has thousands of chapters across the country, including at Penn State. He frequently held events on campuses and was at Penn State’s University Park campus last fall.
“TPUSA at Penn State is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Charlie Kirk,” the Penn State chapter of Turning Point USA posted on social media. “Our thoughts and prayers and with his family.”
He was close ally of President Donald Trump, who announced his death on social media, calling him “Great, and even Legendary.”
“No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!”
He also ordered all American flags in the U.S. to be lowered to half staff until 6 p.m. Sunday in honor of Kirk.
Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-Howard, said there is no place for political violence in America.
“Penny and I are praying for Charlie Kirk and his young family. This is extremely sad and tragic,” Thompson wrote on X.
Democrat Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and others across the nation wrote messages along the same lines.
“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,” Shapiro said.
A person of interest was in custody but later released after interrogation, CNN reported. A manhunt was still underway Thursday morning as the investigation continued. Utah Valley University closed campus and canceled classes until further notice.
State Sen. Cris Dush, R-Brookville, posted a video on Facebook from Penn State’s campus Wednesday evening and reflected on Kirk’s impact on young people and his visit to Happy Valley nearly one year ago.
“They tried to shut him down — they tried to shut him down in so many ways, but he wouldn’t be silenced, even when his voice was gone,” Dush said.
He also urged people to keep Kirk’s family in their prayers, and to take a stand against violence.
“Let this be time for America to come together and stand against violence of all kinds,” he said. “It is the evil that is in men’s hearts that cause the violence, it is not the means by which it’s perpetrated.”
In a statement posted to social media, state Rep. Paul Takac, D-College Township, wrote that “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,” he wrote.
State Rep. Scott Conklin, D-Rush Township, also shared prayers for Kirk’s family on social media.
“My prayers and with Charlie Kirk’s loved ones and all who have been impacted by this horrible tragedy,” he wrote. “Political violence is never the answer.”
John Fetterman, a Democrat U.S. Senator for Pennsylvania, wrote online that he and his family are grieving for Kirk’s family. Kirk, 31, was married and had two young kids.
“We must collectively find a way forward during these polarized times,” Fetterman wrote in a post on X.
Pennsylvania’s other senator, Republican Dave McCormick, said he and his wife were “heartbroken” to learn Kirk died and called for an end to violence.
“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,” he wrote on social media.
This story was originally published September 10, 2025 at 6:07 PM.
