Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has ordered flags lowered to half-staff on all state buildings and grounds through Sunday to honor conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The 31-year-old father of two was shot and killed on Wednesday during an event in Utah.
“In honor of Charlie Kirk’s impactful life, I am lowering the flags of the United States and Georgia to half-staff on state buildings and grounds from now until sunset on Sunday,” Kemp said. “Please join Marty, the girls, and me in praying for his family and for the healing of our nation.”
Kemp’s executive order is in conjunction with a proclamation by President Donald Trump ordering flags at half-staff on all federal buildings.
Kirk, a close ally of President Donald Trump who played an influential role in rallying young Republican voters, was shot and killed at a Utah college event. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox called it a political assassination carried out from a rooftop. A person of interest was in custody, officials said.
Political leaders condemn violence
The shooting drew bipartisan condemnation from Georgia’s elected officials.
U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock (D–Ga.) called the attack “awful and deeply appalling.” He added, “I’m praying for him and his family. Political violence is NEVER acceptable and we must condemn it in every form.”
U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff (D–Ga.) said he was “shocked and horrified by the news Charlie Kirk was shot in Utah” and offered prayers for his family and the community at Utah Valley University. “Political violence is unacceptable,” Ossoff said.
Georgia Senate Majority Leader Jason Anavitarte (R–Dallas) described Kirk as a “happy warrior” who inspired young people. “Charlie, with his happy warrior disposition, was able to captivate young people like no one else could,” Anavitarte said. He pledged state senators would “do everything in their power to ensure the legacy of Charlie lives on.”
Local voices divided
Locally, reaction reflected both grief and division. Many remembered Kirk as outspoken and fearless, while others criticized his rhetoric.
Rebecca Wall said she respected how Kirk “firmly stands in his beliefs” but also noted he “respects others’ right/choice to believe otherwise. He’s met countless others for open discussion and not hate.”
Tom Whitney highlighted Kirk’s willingness to engage with opponents. “Agree or disagree with him, one thing Charlie has always done is engage with people who don’t see the world the same way. That takes guts. To see someone attacked for speaking his mind is beyond disgusting. This is not who we should be as a country. Violence has no place in political debate.”
Others expressed heartbreak, describing Kirk as “such a young family man that had Christian values and beliefs.” “This breaks my heart,” said one commenter. “He was so smart and stood up for what was right.”
Criticism resurfaces
Still, some social media commenters pointed back to Kirk’s controversial remarks on gun rights. In 2023, he argued the Second Amendment was worth the “cost” of some gun deaths each year.
Charlie Kirk (2023): “I think it’s worth to have a cost of unfortunately some gun deaths every single year so that we can have the 2nd Amendment. That is a prudent deal. It is rational. Nobody talks like this. They live in a complete alternate universe.” pic.twitter.com/sEHw5suXEW
— Ron Smith (@Ronxyz00) September 10, 2025
On Wednesday, September 10, Kirk was speaking at a debate hosted by his nonprofit political organization. Immediately before the shooting, he was taking questions from an audience member about mass shootings and gun violence.
“Do you know how many transgender Americans have been mass shooters over the last 10 years?” the person asked. Kirk responded, “Too many.”
The questioner followed up: “Do you know how many mass shooters there have been in America over the last 10 years?”
“Counting or not counting gang violence?” Kirk asked.
Then a single shot rang out. The shooter, who Cox pledged would be held accountable in a state with the death penalty, wore dark clothing and fired from a roof on campus some distance away.
Pointing to the tragic irony, one commenter said, “He made his choice; the children didn’t have a voice.” Another offered a harsher critique, calling Kirk “a horrible person” but at least agreeing that he “should not have been shot.”
