Charlie Kirk: 7 political attacks that shook Americans

By Sandra Simon

Conservative activist and Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk, who was 31 years old, died on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, after he was shot at an event at Utah Valley University.

Kirk’s assassination has sparked heated debate and conversations revolving around gun safety laws and political tension in the United States.

The shooting shares similarities with other acts of political violence in the US.

While reactions continue to trail Kirk’s death, it is imperative to take a trip down memory lane and examine some of the acts of violence that shook the troubled nation.

Donald Trump

On July 13, 2024, while speaking at an open-air campaign rally near Butler in Pennsylvania, Donald Trump was targeted by a shooter who used his elevated position to make an attempt on his life.

20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, who fired eight rounds from an AR-15–style rifle from the roof of a nearby building was reported as the culprit.

Crooks also killed one audience member, firefighter Corey Comperatore, and critically injured two others.

Twelve seconds later, Crooks was shot and killed by the Counter Sniper Team of the United States Secret Service.

Paul Pelosi

Paul Pelosi, the husband of Nancy Pelosi, and the 52nd Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, was attacked on October 28, 2022, by a 42-year-old David DePape.

DePape beat Paul with a hammer during a home invasion of the couple’s Pacific Heights, San Francisco, residence, leaving him with a fractured skull that required surgery.

Congressional Baseball Shooting

On June 14, 2017, a mass shooting occurred during a practice session for the annual Congressional Baseball Game in Alexandria, Virginia.

66-year-old James T. Hodgkinson shot four people, including then U.S. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, U.S. Capitol Police officer Crystal Griner, congressional aide Zack Barth, and lobbyist Matt Mika.

A ten-minute shootout took place between Hodgkinson and officers from the Capitol and Alexandria Police before officers shot Hodgkinson, who died from his wounds later that day at the George Washington University Hospital.

Scalise and Mika were taken to nearby hospitals, where they underwent surgery.

Minnesota Legislator Shooting

This occurred on the 14th of June 2025, when Melissa Hortman, the Minnesota state representative, was gunned down in her home in Brooklyn Park alongside her husband Mark.

The suspected shooter, Vance Luther Boelter, was identified and arrested after a massive manhunt.

Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence Arson

The Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence was set on fire while Governor Josh Shapiro and his family slept inside. The suspected individual was arrested and charged with terrorism, attempted murder and arson.

Abraham Lincoln

The 16th president of the United States was assassinated on April 14, 1865, while attending a performance. He was shot on the head with a .44 calibre single-shot pistol from behind.

The assassin was John Wilkes, a well-known actor.