The Turning Point USA founder was killed yesterday soon after his American Comeback Tour event at Utah Valley University began. He was on his second question – one about mass shootings and gun violence – when a single gunshot rang out.
While many on the Left are celebrating the death of a husband and father, conservatives are shocked. American Family Association Vice President Ed Vitagliano says the ministry's prayers are with Kirk's family.
"Our hearts are broken at the news that Charlie Kirk has passed away," he shares. "He was an extraordinary young man and a faithful Christian, a wonderful family man, and someone that we believe God was using to help turn our nation back to righteousness and to our founding principles."
He says AFA, which pro-LGBTQ+ organizations have labeled a "hate group," will have to recalibrate its own public events with additional security.
"Acts of cruel violence obviously give all conservatives and Christians pause to reconsider how best to go about carrying out the calling that they have from God," Vitagliano states.
But he thinks college ministries feel especially threatened just now.
"Others who regularly visit college campuses … will have to do some soul searching and decide whether there are other ways to reach young people and to reach our culture," he suggests.
Regardless, Gary Bauer of the Campaign for Working Families insists conservatives cannot retreat.
"There is a constant diet by the Left in this country of vile, hateful rhetoric aimed at anybody that is defending faith, family, and freedom – and this is the harvest from that," he observes. "This is why there have been multiple attempts to kill President (Donald) Trump. This is why there were a wave of attacks on churches and crisis pregnancy centers after the Left's precious right to abortion was rolled back."
He does not think the nation can survive if this hatred continues, which makes the fight worth fighting.
"The one reaction to this we must not, cannot under any circumstances have is to make us slink away in fear or discouragement," Bauer insists. "We need to honor Charlie Kirk by redoubling our efforts to save our country."
President Trump has announced that he will posthumously award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom. His organization reportedly has more than 250,000 student members, and he was instrumental in helping get out the young, conservative vote in the 2024 election.
His killer is still at large.
Editor's Note: American Family Association is the parent organization of the American Family News Network, which operates AFN.net.
