Charlie Kirk debates an MSU student during "The American Comeback Tour" at Wells Courtyard on April 11, 2025. The event, co-hosted by MSU's chapter of Turning Point USA, drew a crowd of both students and locals.
Conservative activist Charlie Kirk — who debated students on Michigan State University's campus in April — was shot and killed at an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday.
Kirk, 31, was the founder of Turning Point USA, the country's foremost conservative youth activism group. His myriad viral videos, where he debated liberal students on college campuses, made him a stalwart of America's right-wing movement. He's credited with effectuating surging youth support for Republican candidates in recent years, and aiding President Donald Trump's 2024 election win.
Ty Bommarito, a member of MSU's chapter of Turning Point USA, said he's "devastated" by Kirk's killing and that "political violence has no place in our society."
“Charlie dedicated himself to polite civil discourse and was slaughtered for it, we are all devastated and praying for his family and the repose of his soul," he said.
Journalism junior Justin Clausen said the gun violence at Utah Valley may reverberate especially for MSU students, given the 2023 campus shooting that killed three and injured five.
“It's alarming because I think it's closer to Michigan State University than it is to a lot of schools because there was a shooting at this university,” Clausen said.
MSU spokesperson Amber McCann said in a statement, "Civility and respect are essential elements of healthy and productive discourse."
Josh Cowen, an MSU professor of education policy who is running for U.S. Congress, also condemned the violence in a post on X Wednesday afternoon. He said that what happened to Kirk was "vile and reprehensible," and that he's sickened by the news as "an educator at a school that experienced campus violence just two years ago."
Kirk debated students on MSU's campus in April on topics including the Israel-Hamas war, the economy, the LGBTQ+ community and immigration.
"Dearborn is a good example of immigration gone wrong," Kirk said during one exchange. Protestors held signs at the event on MSU's campus, with one reading "DEFEND OUR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS. STOP BEING FASCIST."
Kirk's shooting comes amid rising political violence in the United States.
"Violence of any kind is intolerable and a fundamental issue that has crept into our politics," said Liam Richichi, the former president of the MSU College Democrats and a current candidate for East Lansing City Council, on social media. "Decry it at every opportunity."
