RICHMOND, Va. β Virginia leaders are reacting to the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who died after he was shot in the neck while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, on Wednesday.
President Donald Trump confirmed Kirk's death in a social media message Wednesday afternoon. The shooting sparked a reaction from political leaders across the country.
Not long after the news of the shooting broke, Gov. Glenn Youngkin said he and his wife, Suzanne, were praying for Kirk and his family. After it was confirmed that Kirk had died from his injuries, Youngkin posted to social media that he was "stunned and grief-stricken by the murder of Charlie Kirk."
Suzanne and I are stunned and grief-stricken by the brutal murder of Charlie Kirk today. We are praying for his beautiful wife and young family. Their anguish can only be healed by the Lord. While the promise of the Lord is that God welcomed Charlie Kirk to Heaven with the wordsβ¦
— Glenn Youngkin (@GlennYoungkin) September 10, 2025
U.S. Sen. Mark Warner said political violence "has no place in a just society" while extending prayers to the Kirk family.
Political violence has no place in a just society. This horrible violence at Utah Valley University is incredibly tragic, unacceptable, and should be universally condemned β my thoughts are with the Kirk family.
— Mark Warner (@MarkWarner) September 10, 2025
U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine said he was "horrified" to hear that Kirk was shot and expressed prayers for the Kirk family, Utah Valley University and the United States.
I was horrified to hear that Charlie Kirk was shot at a campus in Utah today and am praying for him, his family, the University, and our country.
— Senator Tim Kaine (@SenTimKaine) September 10, 2025
Virginia Lt. Gov. and gubernatorial candidate Winsome Sears shared a verse from the Bible and expressed her condolences to Kirk's family.
"Charlie was a leader, husband, father and friend," Sears wrote.
βAnd we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.β - Romans 8:28
— Lt. Governor of Virginia - Winsome Earle-Sears (@WinsomeSears) September 10, 2025
Charlie was a leader, husband, father, and friend. May the Lord of peace be with @MrsErikaKirk and their family during this time.
Former Rep. and gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger said she is "horrified by the assassination of Charlie Kirk."
I am horrified by the assassination of Charlie Kirk today.
— Abigail Spanberger (@SpanbergerForVA) September 10, 2025
Adam and I are praying for his family and the entire Utah Valley University community who witnessed this horrific act. Political violence has absolutely no place in this country. This violent criminal must be found andβ¦
Kirk was scheduled to visit the Richmond area for the Family Foundation's 40th Anniversary Gala, where he was listed as keynote speaker. Victoria Cobb, president of the Family Foundation, shared the following statement with CBS 6:
"Charlie Kirk changed the landscape of this nation as young people flocked to conservative and biblical principles. We grieve for his family and our nation as we grapple with more politically motivated violence from the left. Although he is truly irreplaceable, we will still gather on Oct. 4 to honor his legacy under our theme that holds new meaning, Faithful Then, Fearless Now."
This is a developing story. Email the CBS 6 Newsroom if you have additional information to share.
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