Authorities and prominent political figures tightened security nationwide on Thursday as the search continued for the person who shot conservative activist Charlie Kirk at a university in Utah, prompting changes to high-profile events and spurring lockdowns at several colleges.
President Donald Trump shifted the location of his planned remarks to commemorate the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks at the Pentagon, moving from a more public space to an interior courtyard "out of an abundance of caution," officials said. The Pentagon was among the sites struck in the attacks 24 years ago. The Secret Service also took extra precautions for a baseball game in New York that the president plans to attend later in the day, warning that people in the area "can expect to see increased law enforcement presence." Stadium officials urged ticketholders to arrive early and allow extra time for queues because of "enhanced security measures."
The heightened security came as authorities continued to search for the shooter, a development that has increased unease across the political spectrum and led to stepped-up protection measures by some high-profile figures. One Republican congresswoman, Nancy Mace of South Carolina, said she would forgo public events for the near term and planned to carry a firearm when legally permitted. "I'll start carrying again when I'm back home," she told reporters. "In other states, I will have a firearm on my person all the time, and I will have security."
In Washington, D.C., the Democratic National Committee headquarters was briefly searched after a bomb threat prompted a police response; Capitol Police later determined the threat was not credible. The building was the site where a pipe bomb was found on Jan. 6, 2021.
New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez canceled an appearance in North Carolina, her team citing security concerns and saying the cancellation was "out of respect for Kirk." Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro also withdrew from a scheduled event outside Los Angeles.
Multiple colleges, particularly historically Black institutions, locked down or curtailed activity after receiving anonymous threats. Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Virginia State University in Chesterfield, Virginia, ordered people to lock into buildings following threats. Alabama State University in Montgomery canceled all activities for Thursday and instructed people sheltering in place that they could leave once law enforcement cleared buildings. Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia, announced it would "cease all non-essential activity effective immediately" for Thursday and Friday and encouraged remote meetings and limited movement on campus.
House Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries described the wave of threats and the shooting as evidence of a dangerous trend. "This is yet another indication that the explosion of hateful extremism is out of control," Jeffries said, adding, "These attempts to intimidate everyday Americans will not stand. We need leadership at this moment that brings the country together."
Officials did not provide new details on a motive for the shooting, and investigators continued to canvass the scene and seek witnesses. The killing of a nationally known conservative activist has intensified debates over political rhetoric and security for public figures, with officials on both sides of the political divide warning of potential for further violence.
The Secret Service said it was taking "precautionary measures" around the president's planned public appearances and coordinating with local law enforcement to ensure safety. Organizers of the New York baseball game said enhanced checkpoints and screenings were expected to slow entry, and the agency advised fans to plan for delays.
The shootings and subsequent threats have prompted universities and public officials to reassess event planning and security protocols amid concerns about copycat incidents and targeted intimidation. Law enforcement agencies at the local and federal levels said they were working together to investigate the shooting and the spread of related threats, but they cautioned the public to await official updates as the probe continued.
As authorities pursue leads, political leaders called for calm while emphasizing the need for robust security. The events underscored the fragile environment in which political discourse and public events now take place, and they pushed officials to balance public commemoration, such as the 9/11 observances, with immediate safety concerns.
Investigators asked anyone with information about the shooting to contact local law enforcement. Officials declined to give a timetable for when they expect to make progress public and urged people to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity to authorities.