UPDATE: Outrage has surged following a former Michigan prosecutor’s shocking comments blaming Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk for his own assassination. Kirk, aged 31, was fatally shot on July 14, 2024, during an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. His death has sparked a wave of tributes and condemnation of the remarks made by Carol Siemon.
Just hours after the shooting, Siemon took to social media, suggesting Kirk’s pro-Second Amendment stance contributed to his fate. “I’m terribly sorry when anyone is shot,” she remarked on X, “But I’m sure he doesn’t mind because he has said that shootings and gun deaths are a price he is willing to pay for nearly unfettered abilities to possess and use firearms.” Her comments ignited fury online, prompting many to label her statements as callous and inappropriate.
Kirk was killed while engaging with supporters and critics alike during his American Comeback Tour. His advocacy for conservative values and gun rights had made him a prominent figure, yet his tragic death has led to a national conversation about rhetoric surrounding gun control.
“It is rich coming from a prosecutor that refused to prosecute gun crimes, making Lansing one of the most dangerous cities in the country during your time in office,” said Tom Leonard, former Michigan House Speaker and current gubernatorial candidate, in response to Siemon’s remarks.
As tributes poured in for Kirk, who leaves behind two young children, Siemon’s comments have only intensified public backlash against her. Many are calling her out for politicizing a tragedy that has devastated a family and a community.
Siemon, who served as Ingham County’s first female prosecutor, has faced scrutiny in the past for her handling of gun-related crimes. In a controversial decision in 2019, she allowed Anthony McRae, later responsible for the 2023 Michigan State University mass shooting, to plead a felony gun charge down to a misdemeanor, avoiding jail time and retaining his gun rights.
The implications of her comments extend beyond just Kirk’s assassination; they touch on broader issues of gun control and public safety. Vigils are being held across the U.S. in memory of Kirk, with calls for unity and healing amidst this tragedy.
As authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding Kirk’s assassination, public discourse is shifting towards the impact of political rhetoric on violence. Activists and community leaders are urging for a constructive dialogue about gun rights and public safety, emphasizing the need for responsible gun ownership and legislative measures to prevent such tragedies.
What happens next remains to be seen, but the conversations ignited by Kirk’s death and Siemon’s controversial remarks are sure to continue as communities grapple with the impact of violence and the legacy of a young father and activist.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as it unfolds.