Paige Lorenze, the fiancee of U.S. tennis player Tommy Paul, issued a rare political plea on social media following the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, calling for compassion and an end to celebratory responses to political violence.
Lorenze, 27, an influencer and entrepreneur with roughly one million Instagram followers, said in a story post that she had tried to keep her platform free of politics but felt compelled to speak after recent killings. "Whatever Charlie Kirk's views may have been, that doesn't matter right now, what matters is keeping his family, especially his young children, in our prayers," she wrote. She added that the deaths of Kirk and other victims were "painful reminders of how divided and troubled our country has become," and warned followers that anyone who celebrated the death of another person over political beliefs should "unfollow me."
Kirk, 31, founder of the conservative nonprofit Turning Point USA, was shot in the neck while hosting a question-and-answer event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. The shooting has prompted an FBI manhunt for a suspect who remained at large as authorities continued to investigate. News of the killing has drawn widespread attention and prompted reactions across political and cultural spheres.
Lorenze invoked other recent murders in the United States in her post, including the killing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska in Charlotte last month and incidents in Denver, saying those losses underscored "the brokenness in our system." She concluded by asking for "more compassion, more humanity, and a future with less division." Tommy Paul, ranked No. 15 in the world, had not issued a public comment as of Thursday.
Several sports figures and commentators also spoke publicly after the shooting. Former race car driver and commentator Danica Patrick said on Instagram she feared "anarchy and civil war" and expressed sadness and anger, adding that "we haven't progressed as humans." Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy criticized what he described as "insane" rhetoric on the left while also arguing that former President Donald Trump's polarizing effect on public discourse contributes to an environment in which violence can follow heated rhetoric. "When I say Trump has a huge part in it, I don't necessarily mean he's to blame for it, but he's so divisive... [even just] his face is divisive," Portnoy said, later warning that repeated labeling of political opponents as fascists or Nazis can desensitize some people to violence.
The shooting has intensified debate over political rhetoric and public safety. Authorities have urged anyone with information about the incident to contact law enforcement as the FBI leads the search for a suspect and the investigation continues. Lorenze's message is among several public expressions from figures in sport and entertainment calling for calm and for a reduction in partisan hostility in the wake of the killing.