Charlie Kirk, prominent debater and political figure, was slated to speak in Woodland Park
KRDO News
STATEWIDE, Colo. (KRDO) — Conservative speaker Charlie Kirk was shot at an event in Utah on Wednesday, law enforcement officials confirm. President Donald Trump has confirmed that Kirk has died.
“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie,” wrote President Trump on Truth Social.
According to the Truth and Liberty Conference, Kirk was slated to speak on Thursday night at Charis Bible College in Woodland Park.
Scott Little, who lives across the street from the college, held up a sign outside the entrance that read Honk 4 Charlie,” and received plenty of supportive horns from college staff heading in to start the day.
“I had one driver flip me off, then come back and apologize,” he recalled. “I was looking forward to meeting Charlie. I would have thanked him for what he did.”
Two Republican Colorado Congress members — Rep. Lauren Boebert and Rep. Jeff Crank — are scheduled to speak at the event.
It’s also expected that Charis founder and Truth and Liberty president Andrew Wommack will replace Kirk as Thursday’s keynote speaker.
The bible college shared a video on social media reacting to the shooting, adding that they will continue on with the Woodland Park event in his honor.
“We pray that there would be more that would come to salvation through Charlie Kirk’s death than even in his life,” said Pastor Lorenzo Sewell during a moment of prayer.
The Woodland Park Police Department says that residents should expect to see an increased law enforcement presence, and they are closely monitoring the situation.
“While we are sensitive to all of the issues involved, we want to remind everyone that violence, of any kind, here or elsewhere, will not be tolerated and we ask the members of the community to report suspicious activity to the police department or your local authorities at any time you see it,” wrote the department on Facebook.
Just minutes before news broke of his death, Colorado House Republicans sent the following statement:
“We are deeply saddened by the shooting of Charlie Kirk. Political violence has no place in our nation. Regardless of party or ideology, every American has the right to speak freely and participate in public life without fear of violence.
Charlie was scheduled to be in Colorado in just two days to meet with legislators at the Truth and Liberty Conference. This senseless act of violence has shaken many of us who were preparing to welcome him to our state.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Charlie Kirk, his family, and all who were impacted. We stand united in condemning this attack and reaffirm our commitment to protecting the rights and safety of all who engage in the democratic process.”