NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Conservative activist Riley Gaines says the fatal shooting of fellow activist Charlie Kirk has left her shaken and questioning her own safety when appearing at public events.
Gaines Expresses Fear
In an interview with FOX 17 News, Gaines admitted that Kirk’s death has forced her to reevaluate how secure she feels in public settings.
“How can we possibly coexist with people who want to kill you?” Gaines asked. “Concerns for security will certainly be increased at any public event, especially on campuses.”
Although Gaines has long been outspoken on issues of women’s sports and free speech, she acknowledged that the recent violence has made her more reluctant to appear at events where protests or counterdemonstrations are likely.
Past Security Concerns
This is not the first time Gaines has encountered hostility at a speaking engagement. Last spring, police arrested five protesters during one of her events at Portland State University in Oregon. Video from the scene showed demonstrators surrounding the building where she was scheduled to speak.
She said those experiences, combined with the assassination of Kirk, have made her reconsider whether current security measures are sufficient. “It’s scary to admit, but I am afraid,” Gaines told FOX 17.
Calls to Lower the Rhetoric
When asked what could help improve safety, Gaines pointed to the tone of the national political conversation.
“The rhetoric has to be toned down,” she said, noting that heightened hostility and violent language online and in public debates can escalate into real-world threats.
Interestingly, similar calls are also coming from political leaders across the aisle. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) told reporters that political figures must actively work to calm the current environment.
“We must come together. Our responsibility is to de-escalate this environment—to reduce the level of chaos that exists right now—so that people can feel safer in this country, and then we can move forward together,” Ocasio-Cortez said.
Bipartisan Concern
Tennessee State Rep. Bo Mitchell (D-Nashville) echoed that sentiment, stressing that violence has no place in politics.
“This should be a wake-up call for all of us,” Mitchell told FOX 17. “We may disagree politically, but violence can’t be part of the conversation. We’ve got to make sure people feel safe engaging in democracy.”
Investigation Into Kirk’s Death
Kirk, a prominent conservative commentator and activist, was shot and killed while speaking at Utah Valley University. Authorities said the gunman fired from a rooftop about 140 yards away before fleeing the scene. A high-powered rifle was recovered, but the suspect remains at large.
The attack has shaken political activists nationwide, raising concerns about the safety of public speakers regardless of party affiliation.
A Shared Responsibility
While political leaders differ sharply on policy, there is growing agreement that the nation’s political climate has become dangerously volatile. Gaines, Ocasio-Cortez, and Mitchell — despite standing on different ends of the political spectrum — all emphasized that reducing violent rhetoric may be a key step toward preventing further bloodshed.
For Gaines, the challenge is deeply personal. She said she will continue her activism, but not without new caution. “It’s hard to move forward when you know people out there want to harm you,” she said. “But I believe in speaking the truth, and that’s something I won’t stop doing.”
As the investigation into Charlie Kirk’s death continues, the tragedy is prompting broader questions about how political discourse in the U.S. can be conducted without threats of violence hanging over the debate.
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