(UPDATE: Sept. 11 at 6:37 am): Mark Carney has condemned the murder of US political activist Charlie Kirk.
The prime minister said he was "appalled" to see Kirk, an ally of President Donald Trump, shot dead at Utah Valley University on Wednesday.
"There is no justification for political violence and every act of it threatens democracy," he wrote on X late last night. "My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and loved ones."
I am appalled by the murder of Charlie Kirk. There is no justification for political violence and every act of it threatens democracy.
— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) September 11, 2025
My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and loved ones.
Tory Leader Pierre Poilievre, writing earlier on Wednesday, said "free speech must be upheld" and that "we must all strongly denounce" Kirk's murder.
"Political violence is NEVER justified," he added.
The FBI said this morning it was still searching for the suspect, whose identity has not been revealed.
We must all strongly denounce the shooting of Charlie Kirk. Political violence is NEVER justified. The attacker must be brought to justice. And free speech must be upheld.
— Pierre Poilievre (@PierrePoilievre) September 10, 2025
Pray for Mr. Kirk and his family.
Officials said in a press conference today the suspect, a man, blended in with students at the university.
They also said they believe they have retrieved the suspect's rifle.
Other Canadian political figures to comment on the murder were Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet, who is in Washington, DC.
I know little about Charlie Kirk. Never paid attention to his dark, inane posts. But I am appalled at his death. Politics has been pushed to the point where extremist language leads to violence. In a democracy there is no justification for the murder of a man over ideas. This is a wake up call.
— Charlie Angus (@charlieangus104.bsky.social) September 10, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Blanchet did not explicitly condemn the murder, but said (in French): "Beyond everyone's convictions, and despite the excesses that some will want to either justify or denounce, it must be remembered that a family has just been devastated by an act whose gravity is matched only by the sadness, and unfortunately a sign of dark times."
From the NDP, meanwhile, former MP Charlie Angus said he was "appalled" at Kirk's death despite have "never paid attention to his dark, inane post."
"Politics has been pushed to the point where extremist language leads to violence," he wrote. "In a democracy there is no justification for the murder of a man over ideas. This is a wake up call."
Dacey Media approached @CharlieAngusNDP, sponsor of the petition to revoke Elon Musk's Canadian citizenship and was protesting in Ottawa. Angus had a complete meltdown when asked a question about it. Angus screamed "fascists" and dropped numerous f-bombs. pic.twitter.com/DUnKX2TcGk
— Josh Ryan 🍁 (@joshryanjames) February 27, 2025
Angus, however, has been repeatedly criticized throughout his political career for his free use of terms of abuse such as "fascist."
He recently accused President Trump of being a "gangster" overseeing "full-on police state tyranny" in the US.
Last winter, he told members of the public in Ottawa that "if you don't stand with Ukraine, you're a fascist." When one man told him he'd been a "victim of violence" by left-wing extremists, Angus added: "Yeah, because you're a moron."
(Original story: Sept. 10 at 2:28 pm): Charlie Kirk, CEO of an American conservative youth organization, has been shot and killed.
Kirk, 31, co-founded Turning Point USA in 2012. He was speaking at the Utah Valley University Wednesday afternoon when a single shot rang out.
Graphic videos posted on social media show Kirk being hit in the neck with a significant amount of blood.
Bystanders could be seen and heard running and shouting.
The university confirmed the shot was fired at 12:10 pm and that a suspect was in custody.
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Students were advised to shelter in place as police went building to building to escort people off campus.
The City of Orem, Utah issued a statement shortly after the shooting.
“We are devastated by today’s events,” the statement said. “This type of violence should never happen anywhere, let alone in our community. This is in direct opposition to our values, which include family, unity, respect and faith. We are praying for Charlie and his family at this time.”
US President Donald Trump issued his own statement on Truth Social.
“We must all pray for Charlie Kirk, who has been shot,” said Trump.
“A great guy from top to bottom. GOD BLESS HIM!”
Shortly afterwards, Trump confirmed Kirk had died of his injury.
Kirk and Turning Point were strong supporters of Trump’s two presidential nominations. He also served as Donald Trump Jr.’s personal aide during the election campaign.
Trump today ordered all American flags to be lowered to half mast until Sunday evening.
The FBI in Salt Lake City said they were aware of the incident and responding to the scene.
“We will continue to work out state and local law enforcement partners,” the FBI said in a post.
