Political analyst Matthew Dowd wondered Wednesday on MSNBC whether a Charlie Kirk supporter accidentally shot the Turning Point USA founder, shortly before Kirk was pronounced dead.
“We don’t know any of the full details of this yet,” Dowd said on “Katy Tur Reports” shortly after the shooting and before more details were revealed. “We don’t know if this was a supporter shooting their gun off in celebration or — so we have no idea about this.”
“He’s been one of the most divisive — especially divisive younger figures in this — who is constantly sort of pushing this sort of hate speech or sort of aimed at certain groups,” Dowd continued. “And I always go back to, hateful thoughts lead to hateful words, which then lead to hateful actions.”
Kirk, 31, was shot in the neck in the afternoon during a Q&A with students at Utah Valley University. FBI Director Kash Patel said a suspect was in custody, although local officials confirmed only that a “person of interest” was in custody. The university said the shot came from a building about 200 yards away, and law enforcement said it was a “targeted attack.”
In the evening, MSNBC President Rebecca Kutler apologized for Dowd’s comments.
“During our breaking news coverage of the shooting of Charlie Kirk, Matthew Dowd made comments that were inappropriate, insensitive and unacceptable. We apologize for his statements, as has he. There is no place for violence in America, political or otherwise,” Kutler said in the statement.
