Ben Shapiro says he will never do outdoor appearances again in wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination
Ben Shapiro has vowed to never do another outdoor appearance in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s brutal assassination on a college campus.
The Right-wing political commentator said there are simply ‘too many vantage points’ to ensure his safety from outdoor stages.
The realization dawned on him after 31-year-old Kirk’s tragic death on September 10 while debating college students at the Utah Valley University campus.
Kirk was relaying his perspective on the prevalence of transgender shooters in America when he was fatally shot in the neck from long range.
The suspected assassin, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, remains in custody charged with aggravated murder.
His transgender housemate has been cooperating with authorities and was reportedly ‘aghast’ when he learned of Robinson’s alleged crimes.
‘I’ve told my security team I will never again do an outdoor event,’ Shapiro told The Free Press two days after Kirk’s death.
‘It’s not possible because there are too many vantage points, there are too many overlooks.’
The Right-wing political commentator said there are simply ‘too many vantage points’ to ensure his safety from outdoor stages
The realization dawned on him after 31-year-old Kirk’s tragic death on September 10 while debating college students at the Utah Valley University campus
Shapiro said it had become apparent to him that certain political figures would be targeted now and into the future.
This doesn’t mean he plans to stop touring or speaking about his beliefs publicly.
In fact, he assured supporters he plans to ramp up his appearances at college campuses across America.
‘I’m sure that I am not the only one this year, because if what Charlie died for means anything, it means that we have to keep actually going into these spaces and having these debates,’ he said.
‘But it’s going to change the nature of security just the same as when it came to airports. 9/11 changed the nature of security.’
Shapiro said extremists were trying to pressure conservatives like himself to stop speaking out about matters important to them, and that in doing so, they would ‘be safe.’
‘If you speak out politically, there’s a good shot that some unhinged actor is going to take that as a threat and then come and try and kill you,’ Shapiro said.
Witnesses were forced to run for their lives after they saw Kirk collapse when the bullet hit his neck
Kirk’s devastated wife Erika (pictured) has vowed to carry on his legacy
‘We now know that people are legitimately targeting folks for death at these events. We’re going to have to contain the environment an awful lot more.
‘I just don’t think from a safety and security point of view that’s even remotely possible anymore.’
Authorities said at a press conference that shooter Robinson will face the death penalty if convicted.
Shapiro first met Kirk when he was just 18 years old and had just founded Turning Point USA.
Even then, he knew Kirk was destined for big things within the conservative movement. The pair maintained a relationship, and Shapiro last appeared on Kirk’s podcast just days before his death.
The suspect in Charlie Kirk’s assassination was identified as Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old Utah resident
The suspected assassin, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, remains in custody charged with aggravated murder. Robinson seen in his mugshot
‘I’ve had 24/7 security for a decade,’ Shapiro said.
‘I’ve spoken at a lot of college campuses. I never, honest to God, thought that we were going to get to this point.’
Robinson was unmasked as the alleged shooter on Friday following a two-day manhunt, which came to an end after his father recognized him through FBI photos and confronted his son.