We must not become indifferent

Charlie Kirk was assassinated. We do not yet know the murderer, but we have a strong sense of why this dad and husband was gunned down.

I was on my way to an AI discussion in Pittsburgh on how Pittsburgh and all of Pennsylvania could become a national leader in AI technology, jobs and innovation — to talk with people of various ideologies, expertise and insights, who share a common interest and common goals.

Then my wife texted me. She texted our family group chat. I texted with friends, fellow commentators, and thought leaders across our region, and nation. I prayed for his recovery. I prayed for his soul. I cried. I prayed, again.

I shared this message with fellow commentators — those who used phrases like “gut punched.” And talk show hosts who became speechless, whose producers didn’t know what clips to play, or not play.

It hurts us more because we live in the world of ideas. Because we believe in the American experiment. Because we want to debate. To make our points. To hear others. To resolve problems. To advance America. This hurts not only because it’s so unfair and so extreme. It’s because it’s a blow to the American experiment. We have to look to our faith in God. And to our belief in America and push on. And hug our family. 

On the Sunday after September 11, 2001, my family and I attended mass at St. Norbert’s — churches, synagogues, mosques, and meeting rooms were standing room only that weekend. The pastor began his homily in a somber, painful tone. He spoke of the tragedy, the heroes and how God is always with us. Then, he made a point that stuck with me even twenty-four years later.

The killings — the tragedy — especially hurt him as a man of the cloth because those that committed those heinous, vicious, devilish acts had done so in the name of God, to promote their faith, to attack those who they saw as enemies of their faith. He couldn’t wrap his head around that. And it visibly shook him.

I was driving to Pittsburgh, having left Philadelphia, appearing on WHYY’s Studio2 radio show, their lunchtime discussion show. We debated the economy, tariffs and the Intel deal — and the interconnections with our quality of life and national security. I’ve appeared as a guest there numerous times — not exactly the “Fox News” of radio. But they’ve invited me countless times and each appearance has been thought-provoking, educational, and enjoyable. I actually debated with a libertarian, who passionately spoke against President Trump’s approach to the economy. The hosts — neither Trumpians nor libertarians — were gracious. We exchanged pleasantries and I sent my “opponent” a connection request on LinkedIn.

The way it’s supposed to be: especially as one sits in a radio studio that is in the shadows of the Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell.

On the way, a professor from a Penn State campus called me to speak at their “Constitution Day” celebration to explain, defend and celebrate our Constitution. To engage the students. To challenge them to read and even celebrate the miracle that is the Constitution. He assured me that it would be worthwhile and the students respectful — if not in agreement. I agreed to think about it.

I hung up the call. And then, my wife texted…

Charlie Kirk’s death was reported and debated while the nation was still discussing the death of someone else who, unlike Kirk, was unknown to most of us until she was murdered: Iryna Zarutska. The young woman who was a refugee from Ukraine, senselessly, brutally killed in cold blood, for no reason other than she was on the train when the killer decided to kill.

Iryna’s murder affected so many of us because she was young, she was minding her own business — and because she came to America to be safe. And her killing was recorded for all to see. It’s jarring — especially, if you’re a young woman, a parent, a human being.

And because her killer had been arrested and released fourteen times. Which is why “team Charlie” was especially outraged. The killer is to blame. Yet he was allowed to be in a position to kill because politicians had failed her — failed us.

Philadelphians were jarred, too, to see the video of Lauren Jardine. The Good Samaritan gunned down and killed — long after she had been wounded on the ground by the initial shot. Our pain, our outrage was further inflamed when Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner decided to charge the killer with manslaughter and not murder. The killer committed the cold-blooded crime. He — and others like him — are enabled by a philosophy that excuses senseless, wanton, brutal acts.

We were jarred because she tried to help. She was killed needlessly, and the DA is failing us again.

When these murders occur, sometimes we notice, maybe reflect. We care to varying degrees. Sometimes an especially senseless murder touches us because of the victim, where it happened, or why.

Iryna and Lauren didn’t deserve to die. Their killers must be brought to justice. And we must pledge to double our efforts to fix an all too often broken and misguided criminal justice system.

Charlie Kirk — a dad, a husband, a thought leader — was gunned down, mostly likely because of what he loved to do: educate, debate and promote the American experiment.

We must redouble our efforts to be active, engaged citizens — and to love our families.

I will write. I will comment. I’ve decided that I will go to the campus. I will share the history and my views of the gift of our Constitution. And I hope and pray for a spirited, thoughtful debate — and to drive back home and tell my wife about the event.

Guy Ciarrocchi is a Senior Fellow with the Commonwealth Foundation. A commentator, he writes for Broad + Liberty and RealClear Pennsylvania. Follow Guy at @PaSuburbsGuy.