Utah Governor Cox Labels Kirk Shooting “Political Assassination,” Vows Justice

SALT LAKE CITY, Sept. 11, 2025 - Utah Gov. Spencer Cox condemned the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University on Wednesday as a “political assassination,” and pledged that investigators will “find you and hold you accountable to the furthest extent of the law.”

In a rare emotional address, Cox framed Kirk’s killing as part of an alarming surge in politically motivated violence across the nation. He appealed to Americans on both sides of the aisle to temper their rhetoric and embrace constructive disagreement, reinforcing his long-standing call to “disagree better.”

“A Dark Day for Our State”

Cox opened his remarks by mourning Kirk’s death as a blow to free speech and democratic debate. He reminded the public that Kirk was “first and foremost a husband and a dad to young children,” and denounced the shooting as an affront to the Founders’ vision that the right to life is “inalienable.”

Manhunt and Investigation

  • Utah and federal authorities continue to search for the shooter, who fired a single shot from a nearby rooftop during Kirk’s “American Comeback Tour” event at UVU.
  • Early reports of a suspect in custody were later corrected; two individuals briefly detained were released without charges, and no suspect has yet been identified.
  • Cox reminded the public that Utah still enforces the death penalty, signaling the severity with which the crime will be prosecuted.

A Broader Warning

Cox linked Kirk’s killing to recent politically motivated attacks in other states, including Minnesota and Pennsylvania, warning that escalating violence threatens the fabric of American society. He urged anyone who “celebrated, even a little bit, at the news of the shooting” to “look in the mirror” and seek their “better angel.”

Political and Community Response

  • National Republicans rallied to Cox’s call for unity, with former President Trump promising to identify and punish those responsible.
  • Local leaders from both parties praised Cox’s tone-setting speech, emphasizing that violent extremism undermines Utah’s tradition of civil discourse.

Gov. Cox, now serving his second term, faces mounting pressure to translate his calls for depolarization into concrete policy measures, even as Utah mourns one of its most high-profile victims of political violence.