Former President Barack Obama urged Americans Wednesday not to jump to conclusions about the motive behind Turning Point Founder Charlie Kirk’s assassination.

Kirk died at 31 after being shot during a campus event at Utah Valley University. Obama called Kirk’s assassination “despicable” but urged the public not to rush to judgment about the motive behind the shooting.

“We don’t yet know what motivated the person who shot and killed Charlie Kirk, but this kind of despicable violence has no place in our democracy. Michelle and I will be praying for Charlie’s family tonight, especially his wife Erika and their two young children,” Obama wrote on X.

We don’t yet know what motivated the person who shot and killed Charlie Kirk, but this kind of despicable violence has no place in our democracy. Michelle and I will be praying for Charlie’s family tonight, especially his wife Erika and their two young children.

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) September 10, 2025

Meanwhile, Democratic Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker took a sharper tone, blaming President Donald Trump for fostering the political climate that led to the shooting. He pointed to Trump’s rhetoric and his pardons of Jan. 6 rioters and said they were signals to those willing to carry out attacks. (RELATED: JB Pritzker Blames Trump’s ‘Rhetoric’ For Charlie Kirk’s Assassination)

Trump announced Kirk’s death on Truth Social, calling him “legendary” and praising his bond with young Americans. He described Kirk as deeply loved, especially by himself, and offered condolences to Kirk’s wife Erika and his family, writing, “Charlie, we love you!”

The statements came just hours after Kirk was gunned down, with authorities saying the shooter fired from an elevated position approximately 200 yards away as Kirk spoke to students in the campus courtyard. Authorities said the shot that killed Kirk came from a rooftop and described the suspected gunman only as wearing dark clothing.

Surveillance footage captured a figure near the scene, but officials said the video quality was poor. Investigators are still working to identify the shooter and determine a motive.

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