Hamline University student supports video showing the assassination of Charlie Kirk

Controversial Remarks at Minnesota University

A student from a private university in St. Paul, Minnesota, was recorded by members of Turning Point USA expressing support for the assassination of conservative figure Charlie Kirk. This encounter happened at a table event hosted by Turning Point on the Hamline University campus.

During the interaction, the anonymous student questioned, “Why shouldn’t we be happy about it? Did you get shot? Honestly?” This led to a discussion about gun control, which escalated tensions further.

The student declared support for the Second Amendment and remarked on the circumstances surrounding Kirk’s death, saying he was “glad Charlie Kirk got shot because he said something really stupid.” When Turning Point members pushed back, the student hesitated, stating, “No, well, I’m not saying we need gun violence because I didn’t call for it.”

Kirk had argued that, even in the face of tragic school shootings, the Second Amendment should remain intact and that criminals would always find ways to access firearms. The student justified his harsh stance by claiming that Kirk had implied that violence was a viable option and criticized empathy as a weakness.

Despite Kirk never labeling empathy as such, he had expressed disdain for the concept in one of his podcast episodes, arguing that it can often lead to harm. Nonetheless, the student maintained, “He was shot because he asked for it… I watched the video of him being shot in the neck and clapped.” This sentiment prompted a mixed reaction from other students.

The conversation took an even darker turn when the student stated, “I think bad people deserve to die,” which shifted the discussion towards broader political themes, such as labeling former President Donald Trump a fascist. There have been other instances across the U.S. where individuals publicly ridiculed Kirk’s assassination, further polarizing opinions.

In the aftermath of Kirk’s death, there were various unsettling instances on campuses. For example, one student at Clemson University mocked Kirk’s legacy, while another at Texas Tech disrupted a memorial service and faced expulsion. Additionally, a teacher from a Chicago public school was criticized for trivializing Kirk’s death during protests, even mimicking gun violence.