33-year-old Charlie Kirk, an American right-wing political activist, entrepreneur, and advocate of non-violence and civil discourse, was assassinated on September 10th at Utah Valley University while speaking on behalf of Turning Point USA. 22-year-old Taylor James Robinson shot Kirk in the neck with a rifle 142 yards away; the assassination was condemned abroad by national figures and caused public outrage in the U.S., on conservative and liberal sides alike. Once again, history has repeated: violence as a substitute for dialogue, humanity, and life lost to political extremism. Equally as shocking, the reactions to the assassination differ greatly. Ranging from sending love and sorrow for the loss of an amazing husband and father to his wife, Erika, and 3-year-old daughter and 1-year-old son. To some, mocking and qualifying his death because of his political views, as if he isn’t a fellow human held to the same respect and right of free speech that we all wish to be held to.
Robinson has been charged with aggravated murder, and prosecutors are seeking a death sentence. In the weeks leading up to his crime, his mother reports he had become more liberal and pro-trans-rights oriented (romantically involved with his trans roommate), although growing up, his family was registered conservative. Underneath the keyboard in their apartment, a note stated, “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it.” Robinson has been reported as a chronic online video-gamer, and the bullets in his gun used to kill Kirk included memes and sayings from video games, as well as anti-fascist songs in Italian. Just before the shot was fired, Kirk was talking about the prevalence and correlation between transgender people and mass shootings, allowing citizens to draw the conclusion that Robinson’s acts were an extreme demonstration of disagreement over politics.
Various people in our community have reposted posts on Instagram and other platforms, criticizing the political views of the victim, specifically Kirk’s beliefs. Some posts are celebratory, with text reading “hurray”—a disgusting representation of dehumanization. Others wrote sayings similar to sarcastically thanking the Second Amendment right to bear arms. Their arguments and critiques are meritless. The right to own a gun or any weapon does not translate to the right to kill someone; it’s dependent on the person who owns the gun. Equivalent to the right to own a car, it does not grant the right to hit someone with it; the act is dependent on the driver. Others have called for the death of other conservative political representatives. With all of this hatred in the world, it is important to remember that someone’s political views are never a justification or an excuse for violence.
On April 13th, 2025, Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro, lawyer and member of the democratic party, had his house set on fire while having Passover dinner with his wife and kids. Video surveillance shows alleged perpetrator Cody Balmer moving to the south side of the mansion, using a hammer to break the window and throwing a Molotov cocktail, made from lawnmower gasoline and beer bottles. On other sides of the home, after breaking in, he threw two more bottles and fled through a fire door. Shapiro’s family was forced to evacuate and suffered no injuries. Balmer admitted to his crime, and was charged with attempted murder, aggravated arson, burglary, and terrorism. Balmer voiced his hatred for Shapiro because of his views on the conflict in Gaza, and many perceive his actions as antisemitic and motivated. “Balmer was asked specifically what he would have done if Governor Shapiro found him inside of his residence, to which (Balmer) advised he would have beaten him with his hammer,” the affidavit reads.
Instead of trying to see Shapiro’s perspective, as nothing is ever one-sided, and understand that there are various views regarding the war in the Middle East, as is any topic in politics, Balmer’s malicious intentions were completely inhumane and corrupt the American ideal of respectful discussion.
Son and wife of Balmer have reported domestic violence in their home, as well as Balmer’s mental illness, prescriptions, and suicidal ideas.”This type of violence is not okay, … is becoming far too common in our society, and I don’t give a damn if it’s coming from one particular side or another … It is not okay. And it has to stop,” Shapiro said.
Another near tragedy struck hard against democracy and the American right to vote, free speech, and human life when we witnessed another attempted assassination of a president. In Butler, Pennsylvania, Ryan Routh’s crime was clear with his backpack holding a loaded rifle and a confession of intent in a letter hidden near Trump International. “Dear World … This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump, but I am so sorry I failed you,” Routh said in his letter.
Abraham Lincoln, James Garfield, William McKinley, John F. Kennedy—several presidents have been assassinated. Current president, Donald Trump, almost joined that list while speaking at an open-air campaign rally. Routh was charged with five federal charges, including attempting to assassinate a presidential candidate, felony murder, and assaulting a police officer. On September 23, 2025, Routh’s pleas for not guilty were denied, and as his verdict of life in prison was being read, he attempted to stab himself in the neck. Not only are Routh’s actions completely lawless and a shot at free speech, but against America’s constitutional republic and the majority of Americans, who voted Trump to be president.
This past June, two Minnesotans, Melissa and Mark Hortman, were shot dead in their house. A House of Representatives member, Melissa Hortman, worked to pass multiple liberal laws in Minnesota, including abortion rights and legislation for recreational marijuana, as well as voted for conservative bills. Prior to her assassination, Hortman’s vote was crucial to passing a bill stating that undocumented immigrants are unable to receive low-income healthcare. State Senator John Hoffman, also a democrat, yet voted to pass conservative bills as well, and his wife, Yvett, were shot in their house multiple times. Luckily, they survived a total of seventeen bullets, as daughter Hope Hoffman called 911 in time to save her parents’ lives.
Vance Boelter was appointed to the Minnesota Governor’s Workforce Development Board by Democratic Governor Tim Walz six years earlier. Boelter pleaded not guilty to two charged counts of first-degree premeditated murder, four attempted first-degree murder, one felony of cruelty to an animal, and impersonating a police officer. However, he was indicted on July 15th by a federal grand jury for accounts of murder, stalking, and firearm violations. Maximum charges include life in prison or the death penalty could be carried out; however, that has yet to be decided. Some suspect his wife was involved and knew about the murders, as she and the children were pulled over in a car with a large sum of money and passports.
Searching for Boelter’s motive, the notebooks found in the fake police vehicle included dozens of democrats’ names and various plans for murders in other states; however, the bills passed by Hortman and Hoffman prior to the murder were conservative, making it difficult to decipher his motive. Nonetheless, the blood spilled at the hands of Vance Boelter sheds light on how extreme and horrible the effects of political violence can be.
Some have criticized the difference in the publicity and attention of the victims above. However, it is important to acknowledge that this difference in publicity is caused by their roles in society. Violence against governors like Shapiro, national figures like Kirk, and global figures like Trump received more attention, compared to local figures, Hortman and Hoffman, because they were known nationally, not because the crimes against them were any less horrific.
Whether one disagrees or agrees with another’s political views, murder is wrong. Political beliefs are never a justification for violence, and posting cruel comments on social media leads to an even more divisive society, ultimately poisoning the purpose of civic discourse.