“No one understood or had the heart of the youth in the United States of America better than Charlie,” Trump stated. “He was loved and admired by all, especially me, and now he is no longer with us.”

Video footage from the event suggested that Kirk was hit by a bullet in his neck. Kash Patel, the FBI director, stated on Wednesday evening that someone was detained and then released, and the investigation is ongoing.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Kirk was a “lion-hearted friend of Israel,” who “was murdered for speaking truth and defending freedom.” Kirk “fought the lies and stood tall for Judeo-Christian civilization,” the Israeli prime minister said. “I spoke to him only two weeks ago and invited him to Israel. Sadly, that visit will not take place.”

Danny Danon, Israeli ambassador to the United Nations, stated that Kirk, 31, was “a friend and an exceptional leader,” whose “unique voice influenced many young people in the United States and left a lasting mark on an entire generation.”

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) stated that it is “a tragic day for our country.”

“There is a pervasive sickness that is poisoning America. Charlie Kirk engaged in thoughtful and lively political debate, but he rejected violence—a model we should all follow,” he said. “Charlie built an organization that kickstarted one of the most remarkable political movements in American history, galvanizing young people to participate in politics at record levels.”

Graham added that Kirk was “foundational to President Trump’s victory” and asked the public to “pray for Charlie’s wife, Erika, and their two young children during this time of immense loss.”

The American Jewish Committee stated that it is “heartbroken and outraged by the murder of Charlie Kirk and this horrific act of senseless violence.”

Morton A. Klein, national president of the Zionist Organization of America, stated that Kirk was “a great man, a personal friend and an ally who loved Israel and the Jewish people.”

“I had the pleasure of walking all over Jerusalem with him and sitting for an incredible interview with him on his radio show, where for over an hour, Charlie asked great questions to better understand the Arab-Islamist war against Israel, the Jewish people and the West,” he said. (Klein said that he asked Kirk to speak at the upcoming ZOA national gala, and the latter was “thrilled and was excitedly looking forward.”)

“Charlie was extremely smart, knowledgeable, well-read and an authoritative, yet genuine, voice who could speak on virtually every subject, capable of responding to those debating and critiquing him,” Klein said.

The Republican Jewish Coalition said it is “shocked and grieving at the murder of our dear friend Charlie Kirk.”

“Political violence has no place in this country. There is no reason, no excuse, no political view, no issue that justifies violence against a fellow American,” the RJC said. “Charlie has been a shining light in these troubled times for the American Jewish community, and we are deeply saddened at his passing. All people of goodwill must condemn this horrific murder and demand justice for Charlie.”

The RJC said that Kirk was a “fearless advocate for freedom, a supporter of Israel and the Jewish people and a friend.”

“He was cut down while doing what he loved to do, communicating with the next generation of American leaders on college campuses about the issues that affect us all,” it said. “We will not let this murderer win.”

StandWithUS stated that it is “shocked and sickened” by Kirk’s murder.

“We are deeply grateful for Charlie’s dedicated support of Israel and the Jewish people, and his vocal opposition to antisemitism,” StandWithUs stated. “This is a moment for all of us to do everything in our power to protect free speech in this country. The answer to controversial ideas and partisan political disagreements is debate, not violence.”

The Orthodox Union said that the murder was a “horrific act of political violence, another effort to tear our country apart.”

The Coalition for Jewish Values stated that the killing “was not senseless. It was a deliberate, calculated murder to silence one of America’s most powerful voices for public policy steeped in morality and truth.”

“Charlie Kirk stood for free speech and open discourse, for many of the moral policy positions of the CJV and for tireless advocacy for Jewish civil rights, including in the Jewish homeland,” it stated. “His murder is a tragedy not only for his family and fans, but for all who value the right to free speech, open discourse and to live in a society free of hate.”