Tragedy Strikes as Activist is Shot

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) reflected on the emotional impact of the tragic shooting of Utah conservative activist Charlie Kirk. He noted that this incident brings back memories of his own shooting during a congressional baseball practice eight years ago.

“It’s always hard when you see something like this; it just—well, it digs up feelings from 2017,” Scalise mentioned in an interview with The Hill’s Sister Network NewsNation. “I often wonder why some people want to harm others in America simply for their beliefs. It really doesn’t feel like America to me. We should, you know, be able to acknowledge our differences without violence.”

Kirk, who founded Turning Point USA, was fatally shot while addressing an audience at Utah Valley University in Orem. Reports suggest he was struck in the neck, with social media footage capturing the aftermath of the incident.

Scalise himself was injured during the 2017 baseball practice shooting that left three others wounded. The shooter, James Hodgkinson, a 66-year-old from Illinois, was subsequently killed by Capitol police.

FBI Director Kash Patel stated that a suspect was released after being questioned late Wednesday, just hours after their name surfaced in connection with Kirk’s murder. Authorities are continuing to investigate, involving local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.

It’s still uncertain if additional suspects have been detained or if any shooters remain at large.

“It’s just heartbreaking,” Scalise said, speaking about the impact on Kirk’s family, especially given that he has a young child. “It’s just tragic, you know.” He emphasized that there’s simply no justification for violence over political beliefs. Scalise expressed confidence in law enforcement’s collaboration through the investigation.

Utah Governor Spencer Cox (R) also condemned the shooting, labeling it a “political assassination” and a “dark day” for both Utah and the nation.