Pa. politicians denounce political violence in wake of Charlie Kirk killing

Politicians throughout Pennsylvania reacted with shock and horror to the shooting death Wednesday of Charlie Kirk, the CEO and co-founder of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA.

Kirk was killed while speaking at a college in Utah, almost a year after his visit to the University of Pittsburgh.

After the shooting, Republicans and Democrats alike took to social media to denounce political violence.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro posted about the incident on X.

“Political violence has no place in our country. We must speak with moral clarity. The attack on Charlie Kirk is horrifying and this growing type of unconscionable violence cannot be allowed in our society,” the governor wrote.

Videos on social media from Utah Valley University in Orem show Kirk speaking into a handheld microphone when a shot is fired. Kirk is seen reaching up with his right hand as blood gushes from his neck, the Associated Press reported.

U.S. Sen. John Fetterman condemned political violence in a post.

“We must find a better way forward,” Fetterman said.

I condemn this in the strongest terms.

There is ZERO place in our great country for these horrendous acts of political violence.

We must find a better way forward.

May Charlie Kirk have a full and quick recovery. pic.twitter.com/OpZurqnhic

— John Fetterman (@JohnFetterman) September 10, 2025

U.S. Rep Chris Deluzio, D-Fox Chapel, shared a similar sentiment.

“We resolve our disputes at the ballot box, not with bullets,” Deluzio said.

I condemn this political violence, which should have no place in America. We resolve our disputes at the ballot box, not with bullets. I wish Charlie Kirk a speedy and full recovery. https://t.co/OApmh14SDO

— Congressman Chris Deluzio (@RepDeluzio) September 10, 2025

U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick, a Republican from Pittsburgh, posted that he and his wife, Dina McCormick, were praying for Kirk and his family.

“This horrifying trend of political violence in our country must come to an end,” McCormick said.

U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Butler, also posted on X that Kirk’s family was in his prayers.

U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, a Bucks County Republican, posted, “Political violence is despicable — morally wrong, fundamentally un-American, and intolerable in any and all forms. It cannot continue. We must stand together, across every divide, to reject it completely and recommit ourselves to resolving differences through dialogue, not destruction.”

Praying for Charlie Kirk and his family. Please join me.

Political violence is despicable — morally wrong, fundamentally un-American, and intolerable in any and all forms. It cannot continue. We must stand together, across every divide, to reject it completely and recommit…

— Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick ???????? (@RepBrianFitz) September 10, 2025

In a call to action, U.S. Rep. Summer Lee referenced the three students who were shot Wednesday at a high school in Colorado in addition to the shooting that resulted in Kirk’s death.

Three students were shot at a high school in Colorado, and Charlie Kirk was just shot and killed at a university in Utah.

Gun violence and political violence cannot continue to devastate our communities. We need gun reform now.

— Rep. Summer Lee (@RepSummerLee) September 10, 2025

Democrat Eugene DePasquale, Pennsylvania’s former auditor general, responded to a post from Utah Gov. Spencer Cox.

“The Governor is correct. Any person responsible must be held fully accountable. And my thoughts are with Charlie Kirk and his family and friends. This is unacceptable,” DePasquale wrote.

The Governor is correct. Any person responsible must be held fully accountable. And my thoughts are with Charlie Kirk and his family and friends. This is unacceptable. https://t.co/pl9Jj2AyYb

— Eugene DePasquale (@DePasqualePA) September 10, 2025

The Carnegie Mellon University College Republicans re-posted a photo of Kirk with the caption “Pray for Charlie” on their Instagram story Wednesday evening.

Pitt representatives did not respond to a request for comment.