New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez immediately pointed to guns as the root cause of the tragedy, emphasizing the role of Republican inaction in restricting access to certain firearms following the assassination of Turning Point USA founder and prominent conservative voice, Charlie Kirk.
In a video shared by the Daily Caller News Foundation, AOC, surrounded by a cluster of reporters, invoked familiar Democratic talking points when asked about the rhetoric her party often uses to describe President Donald Trump and the America First movement.
“You know, words are important, but action is what matters most,” she said. “Yes, we talk about issues, and yes, rhetoric plays a role…but fundamentally, we are in positions of leadership. Our job is action. The American people expect us to do something meaningful about this crisis every single day.”
She continued, gesturing toward the Capitol behind her, “Every single day, people die because of gun violence in America, and every single day, there are members in this building who vote against any meaningful measures to prevent these tragedies.”
According to Utah Valley University’s Associate Vice President for Strategic Communication Management, Ellen Treanor, Kirk was shot during a campus event at approximately 12:20 p.m. local time.
“We hosted Charlie Kirk today, invited by the student organization Turning Point USA,” Treanor said. “Around 12:20 p.m., shots were fired from a building about 200 yards away from the speaker. To our knowledge, the individual was immediately taken away by security personnel. The campus is closed for the rest of the day, and our police have a suspect in custody.”
Moments before the shooting, Kirk was on video responding to a question from the audience about transgender mass shooters in the U.S.:
Audience member: “Do you know how many transgender Americans have been mass shooters over the last 10 years?”
Kirk: “Too many.”
The audience member added that the number is five and then asked how many mass shooters there had been in America over the past decade.
Kirk replied: “Counting gang violence or not?”
A split second later, a gunshot was heard, and Kirk was seen recoiling as blood poured from his throat.
One suspect was initially detained but released shortly after authorities determined he was not the shooter. FBI Director Kash Patel later confirmed another suspect had been taken into custody, but that individual was also eventually released. The shooter remains at large.
President Donald Trump posted on social media: “We must all pray for Charlie Kirk, who has been shot. A great guy from top to bottom. GOD BLESS HIM!”
Vice President J.D. Vance wrote on X: “Say a prayer for Charlie Kirk, a genuinely good guy and a young father.”
Utah Senator Mike Lee urged followers to pray as well, posting, “I am tracking the situation at Utah Valley University closely. Please join me in praying for Charlie Kirk and the students gathered there.”
Fox News host and former military officer Pete Hegseth also offered prayers: “Prayers for Charlie Kirk. An incredible Christian, American, and human being. May the healing hand of Jesus Christ be upon him.”
Meanwhile, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro condemned the attack, calling it “horrifying.” In a statement, he stressed, “Political violence has no place in our country. We must speak with moral clarity and reject any acts of violence that threaten our democratic institutions.”