Danica Patrick fears America is heading for civil war as she blamed an ‘epidemic of mental illness’ for the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk.
The conservative commentator, 31, was shot and killed during a rally at Utah Valley University on Wednesday by a gunman who was caught on camera dashing across a rooftop in the moments after he opened fire.
Father-of-two Kirk was hit by a single bullet while speaking to a crowd at the public university in Orem. He collapsed immediately after being hit by the gunfire and was rushed to hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
A potential suspect had been captured but FBI Director Kash Patel later announced they were released as a major manhunt continues. Eerie footage in the aftermath shows a shadowy figure in the distance running across the roof of the Lossee Center.
Patrick has become more politically active in recent years and aligned herself with Donald Trump’s MAGA movement, even appearing on the campaign trail last year to help him get back to the White House.
Following Kirk’s death, the former NASCAR driver posted a series of comments and shared other posts to her Instagram story.
Danica Patrick fears America is heading for civil war after the assassination of Charlie Kirk
Kirk leaves behind his wife Erika Frantzve , with whom he had a three-year-old daughter and a son, 16 months (pictured: Kirk and his family)
Patrick, a former NASCAR driver, said she’s ‘sad and angry’ in a lengthy Instagram statement
She first responded to the news by posting: ‘What the f***?!’
Patrick then continued by saying ‘I can’t believe it. What is wrong with people? We have an epidemic of mental illness. Praying so much for his family and everyone that knows him and loves him.’
Patrick, who also admitted to being ‘heartbroken’, then shared a video of Kirk of engaging in a debate, before sharing more thoughts on his tragic death.
She added: ‘What do we do in the wake of all this tragedy in America?
‘I am worried about anarchy and civil war… but maybe that’s my own anger being projected. I don’t feel settled. I am sad. And angry. We could all be living in joy but so many decided to be victims and offended by everything.
‘Even god. Because that’s what @charliekirk1776 fought for. For his word to be heard and considered as a better way to live. And he was killed for it. We haven’t progressed as humans. And this is frightening.’
Kirk leaves behind his wife Erika Frantzve, with whom he had a three-year-old daughter and a son, 16 months. The couple celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary in May.
The MAGA star, wearing a white t-shirt, was sitting inside a tented gazebo when a bullet entered his neck, causing his head to violently collapse backwards.
Kirk hands out hats before speaking at Utah Valley University in the moments before his death
A single shot rang out and Kirk was seen reaching up with his right hand as a large volume of blood gushed from the left side of his neck.
Stunned spectators were heard gasping and screaming before people started to run away and those closest to Kirk rushed to his aid.
UVU officials said the shot was fired from the top of the Losee Center, about 200 feet away from where Kirk was sitting.
They initially took an elderly man into custody who turned out not to be the shooter, police said.
Donald Trump announced Kirk’s death and posted a moving tribute to him on Truth Social.
‘The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead,’ the president said.
‘No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie.
‘He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!’
