Conservative political activist Charlie Kirk takes part in a town hall Monday, March 17, 2025, in Oconomowoc, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
Jeffrey Phelps / AP
Dan Lanning, the head coach of the Oregon Ducks, commented on the killing of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk during a postgame press conference Saturday. Lanning said he had recently learned Kirk was a fan of the team.
Lanning condemned political violence and criticized “internet warriors” who he said have praised Kirk’s death.
“Life matters, you know, and I think we’ve lost sight of that,” he said.
Oregon head coach Dan Lanning walks the sidelines during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma State, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Eugene, Ore.
Lydia Ely / AP
The assassination instantly sparked heated debates online about Kirk’s activism, including past statements of his that many considered divisive or controversial.
On Sept. 10, Kirk was fatally shot at Utah Valley University during a speaking event organized by Turning Point USA, the group he founded in 2012 to support conservative advocacy on high school and university campuses.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., joined at left by Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Mich., leads a memorial vigil to honor conservative activist Charlie Kirk who was shot and killed at an event in Utah last week, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Sept. 15, 2025.
J. Scott Applewhite / AP
At Saturday’s press conference, Lanning also held up the Oregon Ducks as a model for working past political differences.
“You know, I think the US could learn a lot from our locker room,” he said of his team. “You walk in that locker room, you got guys of different races, guys of different backgrounds, different religions, and you got a team that loves each other.”
Lanning also offered condolences to Kirk’s family and said that “that sort of evil should never exist in our country.”
Some Oregon lawmakers also spoke out last week on social media immediately after news broke of Kirk’s death.
In addition, on Saturday evening, about 1,000 people gathered outside the University of Oregon in Eugene for a candlelight vigil in honor of Kirk.
Attendees observed a moment of silence under flags held at half-staff after marching through Eugene, chanting, “We are Charlie Kirk.”
Another candlelight vigil for Kirk will be held Monday night at Lions Park in Ontario, Oregon.
Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old suspect accused of killing Kirk, is in custody at the Utah County Jail.
Investigators have yet to determine a clear motive. Robinson now faces multiple charges.
The American flag on the North Lawn at the White House in Washington, is lowered to half-staff after Charlie Kirk, the CEO and co-founder of Turning Point USA, was killed at an event in Orem, Utah, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025.
Mark Schiefelbein / AP
