URBANA – Multiple Illinois politicians decried the shooting death of Charlie Kirk, an Illinois native who gained a national following by motivating young Americans to vote for President Donald Trump.

The conservative activist was killed by a single shot in a targeted attack during an outdoor event Wednesday at Utah Valley University, authorities said.

Kirk co-founded the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA and was a close ally of President Donald Trump.

No one was in custody Wednesday evening as authorities seek a new person of interest in the assassination, according to a law enforcement official who spoke to the Associated Press on the condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing investigation. 

Kirk was a native of Arlington Heights, a northwest suburb of Chicago. He visited the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in April for his “The American Comeback Tour.”

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker issued two statements on Bluesky. The latest one reads:

“No one in this country should have to fear gun violence, whether they’re in class in high school or attending an event on a college campus.I strongly condemn the shooting that killed Charlie Kirk today at Utah Valley University.May his memory be a blessing.”

The Illinois Freedom Caucus, representing state lawmakers, released a statement that read in part:

“We are devastated and horrified by the news today that our friend Charlie Kirk was murdered at an event in Utah. Charlie grew up in Illinois and he launched Turning Point USA in Illinois. Charlie Kirk was a Christian, a husband, a father and a patriot. He was a man of faith, principle and integrity. For us, Charlie is more than just a talking head on news programs. He was a personal friend and someone we could always count on to help us advance conservativism in his home state.”

Congressman Darin LaHood (R) represents the 16th congressional district in Illinois. He condemned political violence in his public statement.

“Charlie was a husband and father to two young children before anything else. He did not deserve to die because of his ideological views. Elected officials, the media, and we as Americans must hold ourselves to a higher standard and work to ease the political tensions that have embroiled our nation. My prayers remain with Charlie’s family and loved ones in light of this tragedy.”

The Illinois Democratic County Chairs Association also condemned Kirk’s killing. President Mark Guethle’s statement reads in part:

“Let me be perfectly clear: nothing justifies the horrific violence we saw today. While we may never have agreed with Charlie Kirk, there is never an excuse for violence. Full stop. We are shocked and horrified by what seems to have been a politically motivated murder and we extend our deepest sympathy to Charlie’s wife and family as well as the students and community members who had to endure this tragic event.”

According to the Associated Press, Kirk’s killing follows instances of political violence in the United States in recent months, including the assassination of a Democratic Minnesota state lawmaker and her husband in June and the fatal shooting of two Israeli Embassy staffers in Washington in May.

Here are other responses from Illinois lawmakers. This posting may be updated: