Alford to pause all town halls, public events after Charlie Kirk shooting
Ryan Shiner
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
U.S. Rep. Mark Alford (R-MO) will be pausing all public events, including town halls, after Wednesday’s shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Kirk, a controversial figure and founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed during an event Wednesday at a Utah college.
Alford – who represents Missouri’s fourth district in the US House, which includes Howard, Pettis and Morgan counties, as well as the northern portion of Boone County – told ABC 17 News in a text message that he will not hold public events in the immediate future.
“Due to this rise in political violence, our office will be pausing all public events, including town halls, until further notice. I will not risk the safety of my family, my staff, or my own personal safety because some choose violence over dialogue,” Alford wrote in the message while giving condolences on Kirk’s passing.
Alford has held a number of public town halls in his district since President Donald Trump was sworn into office and has faced backlash at the events. A crowd in Harrisburg gave sharp criticism to him during an Aug. 27 event.
Alford previously claimed an event in February — that was held in Benton — was “hijacked” after he was faced with jeers and boos.