New Mexico leaders reacted with grief, shock, and an urgent call for greater political civility on Wednesday and Thursday after Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA and a prominent conservative activist, was fatally shot during a university event in Utah. The attack occurred at Utah Valley University in Orem on Sept. 10, just as Kirk was addressing students, and authorities say the shooter remains at large.
The Shooting & Manhunt
Around 12:20 p.m. local time, Kirk was speaking under a tent in a campus courtyard as part of the “American Comeback Tour.” He had just responded to a question about mass shootings when a single bullet struck him in the neck. Witnesses described chaos immediately following the gunfire: Kirk fell, blood was visible, the crowd ducked and fled.
Law enforcement officials are analyzing closed-circuit camera footage from campus showing a person “dressed in all dark clothing,” possibly fleeing the scene. The shot appears to have been fired from the roof of a building approximately 200 yards away from where Kirk spoke.
Multiple individuals were briefly detained, including one man initially arrested on obstruction charges, and a second person interviewed, but neither has been confirmed as the shooter. The Utah Department of Public Safety, the FBI, the Utah County Attorney’s office, the Sheriff’s Office, and local police are co-leading the investigation.
Reactions from Across New Mexico
New Mexicans of different political backgrounds issued strong statements condemning violence and urging reflection.
State Rep. Stefani Lord (R-Sandia Park) said:
“If you celebrate the murder of a man simply because you disagreed with him, you are part of the problem, part of the poison dividing this country.
When people cheer this kind of violence, or casually throw around words like ‘Nazi’ or ‘fascist,’ they reveal what they truly want: not debate, not dialogue, but for our death.
We can stand firm in our beliefs without losing our humanity. I choose to stand for life, dignity, and truth, even when it costs me.”
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM) called the shooting “tragic and grossly un-American.” She urged all Americans to prefer “respect and dialogue over hate and violence.”
Republican Party of New Mexico issued a remembrance honoring Kirk as “a devoted family man, a passionate defender of faith and freedom” and said his assassination was an attack on “the very principles of free speech and civil discourse.” It called for citizens to engage respectfully across political divides.
Democratic Party of New Mexico, while similarly condemning the killing and the rise in political violence, also attempted to highlight broader concerns such as gun violence and extremism, arguing that the atmosphere that allows such acts to occur is worsening.
State Rep. John Block (R-Alamogordo) prayed for Kirk’s entrance into Heaven, peace for the family, justice in the case, and warned of “evil prowling among us every day seeking to scare us — even murder us — but we must not let the devil win.”
NM House Minority Leader Gail Armstrong (R-Magdalena) said she was “outraged and heartbroken,” emphasizing that “words matter” and condemning reckless rhetoric that poisons the political climate. She urged accountability for the shooter and called for leaders of all parties to condemn violence and lower the temperature in public discourse.
Local Impact
In New Mexico, Kirk had recently visited Albuquerque for “Freedom Night in America,” drawing thousands to a church event.
Radicalized far-left protesters also attacked Kirk’s event at the University of New Mexico in 2022.
Supporters in Portales, where Eastern New Mexico University has a Turning Point USA chapter, expressed heartbreak and shock, saying they share values with Kirk and felt the killing was unjust and chilling.
National Context and What’s Next
Reaction across the U.S. has been swift and bipartisan. Political leaders from both parties, former and current, condemned the act as an assault on democratic norms. Meanwhile, investigators have not yet announced a suspect or motive, but believe the act was targeted. The public has been asked for any photographs or videos that could help.
For many New Mexicans, the assassination of Charlie Kirk is not just another headline; it’s a painful reminder of how divisive rhetoric and political polarization may pave the way to violence. Leaders across the political spectrum are calling for reflection, restraint, and a renewed commitment to civil discourse as the state—and the nation—grapples with how to prevent such tragedies.
You’ll never convince me that the DNC didn’t hire that assassin.
The NM governor finally did something right, I never thought I would say that. It was a sad day to see a person of peace be assassinated for speaking his mind. Any one that celebrated the loss should look deep in their soul to see what is missing. There is also professional help available to help them fix themselves. We should all say prayers for his family. I trust in God for a reason why bad things like this happen but cannot makes sense of it my self.
My prayers are for the Kirk family. Charlie is resting in peace in the arms of our Creator.
Who’s to blame for this loss and pain the family has to endure? We all need to look in our mirrors and take responsibility for hateful words and comments.
Charlie’s faith and moral courage set an example for all of us to follow. We can agree to disagree with respect to our fellow citizens. We must start now with each word we speak, with each action taken, we must end this violence, madness before we self destruct as a nation. God please intervene for the sake of mankind…I trust in you.
Yes, we don’t understand why, but we lean on God for comfort and peace. We will keep spreading seeds of freedom, faith and political action. Charlie Kirk cared about NM, coming to Legacy Church many times to support and educate our community. Stay faithful, brave and aware we are in a spiritual battle for our souls.
Charlie Kirk was an amazing speaker and debater with the ability to remember facts, actions and figures. For this reason he was murdered on what should have been a safe place, a college campus. I pray for his family and our country in this time of great division and leftist hate. No family should lose their Father for speaking Truth amongst students.
ANTIFA are Democrat, foot soldiers.
I’m going to bet we find out this is another antifa terrorist. It’s past time antifa has become a designated terrorist organization..