By Will Coffman, Local & Lifestyle Editor

In wake of last week’s assassination of Charlie Kirk, Xavier students and staff shared their reaction to the murder and escalating political violence in the country.

Kirk, the American conservative commentator and founder of Turning Point USA (TPUSA) was allegedly shot and killed by 22-year-old Tyler Robinson. Robinson is facing an aggravated murder charge, which could result in him getting the death penalty.

In his role at TPUSA, which Kirk founded in 2012, he frequently visited college campuses, debating with students and advocating for conservative causes. He was a key figure in the conservative movement in the United States, appealing heavily to younger conservatives and forging a close relationship with President Donald Trump, who announced Kirk’s death on Truth Social. 

The killing of Kirk sparked widespread condemnation from both Democratic and Republican politicians. Every living president released a statement, focusing on support for the Kirk family and calls for political violence to end. Vice President JD Vance and his two predecessors, Vice President Kamala Harris and Vice President Mike Pence weighed in as well. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who sat down with Kirk in March for the debut episode of his podcast, “This is Gavin Newsom” made a statement strongly condemning the murder.

 “The attack on Charlie Kirk is disgusting, vile, and reprehensible. In the United States of America, we must reject political violence in EVERY form,” Newsom said.

When asked about campus safety and plans for speakers on campus, Public Safety Director and Police Chief for Xavier University, Chief Aaron Jones said, “The safety and well-being of the Xavier University community is a top priority for XUPD and Xavier Administration.” 

Jones continued, “…XUPD works closely with Xavier Administration, local and federal law enforcement, and community partners to carefully assess potential safety concerns.  Many visiting speakers and guests also bring their own security teams, and we coordinate with them to ensure their visit is safe and seamless.  Typical measures include additional officers for visibility, controlled access points, and thoughtful planning to manage crowds based on information gathered ahead of time.”

Students and faculty alike expressed shock and dismay, urging for a change in rhetoric

“Political violence is unacceptable, full stop. Everyone needs to turn down the rhetoric, violence is never the answer. Whether it’s enraging comments on X, or slaughtering a person, it’s unacceptable in all forms,” President of the College Democrats of Ohio and Junior Philosophy, Politics, and the Public (PPP) major Gavin Steele said,

President of College Republican’s Xavier chapter and senior Business Administration major, Carter Long, spoke of Kirk’s impact on conservative students. “Charlie Kirk was a great man, and the tragedy of his death is something many of us are still processing. His assassination is a stain on the legacy of our nation, and it serves as a call to even more fully commit ourselves to our founding core tenants of free expression and free speech. Charlie was a unique force for dialogue and open-debate for young people; he helped many conservative campus leaders, like myself, understand how to effectively fight for truth and justice in a world where young conservatives were often treated with disdain,” Long said.

“I have been and remain deeply troubled by the level of gun violence in the United States, whether politically motivated or due to other causes. Moments like these are times when both sides of the ideological divide could come together to condemn such violence and take meaningful steps to reduce it in the name of promoting democracy,” Director of the Philosophy, Politics and the Public honors program Dr. Kathleen Smythe said.

Director of Take It On Dr. Adam Clark also weighed in. “The recent assassination of Charlie Kirk underscores the extent to which our nation faces a troubling pattern of political violence, disinformation, and dehumanization. In such a climate, extending empathy—even to those who have not shown it themselves—is an act of moral courage and a vital foundation for sustaining a civil society. Empathy allows us to remain human, resist fear and hatred, and strive for a future rooted in justice rather than division,” said Clark.