Softball World Stunned by Charlie Kirk’s Death
Conservative activist Charlie Kirk, the CEO and co-founder of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA, was shot and killed on Wednesday during a speaking engagement on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.
He was 31 years old.
Kirk's death was announced on social media by President Donald Trump. The UVU campus was immediately evacuated and classes have been cancelled until further notice, according to the Associated Press.
The shooting has left people stunned across the world and some softball stars have taken to social media in response to the tragedy.
Nebraska star Jordy Bahl shared several posts about Kirk on X before writing a message of her own.
"A wife just lost her husband, and two children just lost their father," the 2025 NFCA Player of the Year stated. "Why? He was sharing truth and murdered by someone who disagreed.
A wife just lost her husband, and two children just lost their father.
— Jordyn Frahm (@jordybahl) September 10, 2025
Why? He was sharing truth and murdered by someone who disagreed.
Praying for them as they grieve the worst pain imaginable. The evil of this world and in our nation is terrifying. Jesus is the only answer.
"Praying for them as they grieve the worst pain imaginable. The evil of this world and in our nation is terrifying. Jesus is the only answer."
Bahl's teammate, Hannah Coor, who transferred to Nebraska from Oklahoma this offseason also posted something in response to Kirk.
"God, our land is bleeding. Another voice silenced by hate," Coor wrote. "Heal us, Lord. We need you more than ever."
Athletes Unlimited Softball League and Team USA third baseman Jessi Warren didn't hold back either.
"If you think what happened to Charlie Kirk is okay just because you disagree with his politics, it’s time to reevaluate your values. We should be able to disagree without resorting to violence. It’s sad and horrific that we live in a world where disagreement turns into harm."
"You can believe in whatever you want to believe in and still coexist," Warren continued in another post. "If you don’t like someone’s opinion, JUST DONT LISTEN TO THEM. It’s pretty simple. This is so sad."
You can believe in whatever you want to believe in and still coexist. If you don’t like someone’s opinion, JUST DONT LISTEN TO THEM. It’s pretty simple. This is so sad.
— Jessi Warren (@jessicawarren30) September 10, 2025
Current Texas A&M and former Missouri left-handed pitcher Taylor Pannell also shared her opinion, along with a photo of Kirk with his family. Her post also had a comment from Aggies assistant coach Russ Heffley.
"I agree Taylor," Heffley said with multiple exclamation points. "He loved America and he loved Jesus."
what a sick world we live in. a true american patriot, fighting for what’s right💔sickening. https://t.co/Xp35iFAT2P
— Taylor_Pannell (@taylor78pannell) September 10, 2025
Other posts within the softball community included one from former OU softball legend Lauren Chamberlain Gipson.
God please cover us. We need you.
— Lauren Gipson (@LChamberlain44) September 10, 2025
"The subject for the horrific shooting today that took the life of Charlie Kirk is now in custody," FBI Director Kash Patel posted on X Wednesday at 5:21 p.m. CT. "Thank you to the local and state authorities in Utah for your partnership with @fbi."
Kirk is survived by his wife, Erika, his 3-year-old daughter and 1-year-old son.
-1d7db99dccc9abef7b9378f016b22b68.webp "Maren Angus-Coombs")
Maren Angus-Coombs was born in Los Angeles and raised in Nashville, Tenn. She is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University and has been a sports writer since 2008. She has been covering college softball since 2016 for various outlets including Softball America, ESPNW and Hurrdat Sports. She is currently the managing editor of Softball On SI and also serves as an analyst for Nebraska softball games on Nebraska Public Media and B1G+.