NEW YORK (PIX11) — New York politicians on both sides of the aisle expressed shock after Charlie Kirk was shot and killed on a college campus in Utah on Wednesday.
Kirk, CEO and co-founder of conservative youth organization Turning Point USA, was assassinated while hosting an event on Utah Valley University's campus on Wednesday afternoon.
Kirk was taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition, where he later died.
New York politicians were united in the message that gun violence of any kind is unacceptable.
Gov. Kathy Hochul said she was "horrified" when she saw the reports. "Political violence has no place in our country," Hochul said on social media.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams shared similar sentiments, saying, "We may disagree on the issues, but gun violence has no place in our country. Our prayers are with Charlie Kirk, his family, and everyone else affected by today's shooting."
"I interviewed with Charlie Kirk just last month, and I saw a passionate young man who loved his country. Devastated to now learn of his assassination. Political violence has no place in our nation. We must turn down the temperature and stand united against hate. I pray for Charlie's family and loved ones," Adams said.
Former NYC Council GOP leader Joe Borelli shared a picture of Kirk, calling the incident "surreal."
"Prayers for Charlie and his family," Borelli said on X.
Democratic nominee for New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani was equally as shocked.
"I'm horrified by the shooting of Charlie Kirk at a college event in Utah," Mamdani said on social media.
Republican nominee for New York City mayor Curtis Sliwa called the shooting "horrific" and "vile."
"We will never progress as a country if we don't debate each other with logic. Not vile violence. It's on every single one of us to make sure we do what we can to protect each other. We are all Americans in the end," Sliwa said in a post.
New York City mayoral candidate and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo called the news "disturbing."
"While details and motivations are still unknown, my prayers are with Charlie Kirk, the students, and all impacted. Political violence is becoming too common and too often celebrated. It must be universally condemned by everyo ne, everywhere," Cuomo said.
Republican New York City Councilwoman Inna Vernikov said, "We live in a sick society," in her statement.
"Please pray for him, his wife, and his two young children. This changes everything," Vernikov said.
The New York State Conservative Party released a statement regarding Kirk's death:
"A good man has died today. He and his family are in our prayers. An assass in's bullet may have taken his physical presence away, but his thoughts, his philosophy, his hard work, and his love for our nation will carry on."
This story comprises reporting from The Associated Press.
Spencer Gustafson is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered New York state and city news since 2023. See more of his work here.
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