‘Heartbreaking:’ Ushna Shah mourns Charlie Kirk’s assassination

Actress and host Ushna Shah expressed her condolences over the death of Charlie Kirk, 31, a prominent conservative activist, close ally of US President Donald Trump, and co-founder of Turning Point USA.

Kirk was shot dead while addressing students at Utah Valley University, leaving behind his wife and two children.

Sharing her thoughts on Instagram, Ushna Shah said that although she disagreed with many of Kirk’s political stancesm particularly his views on Palestine, which she described as the root cause of much of today’s turmoil, she was nonetheless devastated by the brutal killing of a young husband and father.

Read more: Popular pro-Israel activist Charlie Kirk assassinated at Utah university

“By watching a man in his early thirties, a husband, a son, a father of two be shot in cold blood is heartbreaking,” she wrote, adding that through empathy and acknowledgment of human suffering, "we hold on to our own humanity."

Charlie Kirk, a polarising figure in US politics, was known for his strong views on abortion, immigration, and gun rights, often sparking fierce debate. As leader of Turning Point USA, the country’s largest conservative youth organisation, he played a major role in rallying young voters for Trump.

At the time of the shooting, Kirk had been responding to a question on gun violence when the attacker opened fire.

President Donald Trump mourned his ally on Truth Social, describing Kirk as “a great, indeed legendary” figure and offered prayers for his wife and children.

Ushna Shah stated that while her heart will always side with Palestinian children and families enduring unimaginable suffering, she could not ignore the tragedy of Kirk’s murder.