Southern California political leaders and law enforcement officials roundly condemned the fatal shooting of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk during a speech Wednesday in Utah, saying political violence is never acceptable.

“No one deserves to be the target of gun violence, ever,” Rep. Judy Chu, D-Pasadena, wrote on X. “What happened to Charlie Kirk is appalling, unacceptable, and I condemn it in the strongest possible terms. I am thinking of his family and loved ones at this time. We must put a stop to rising political violence in this country.”

Kirk, 31, was speaking at an event at Utah Valley University when a shot rang out and Kirk fell backward in his chair on stage. Kirk later was pronounced dead. The suspect remained at large Wednesday evening.

“The great, and even legendary,

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