Oxford Union president-elect George Abaraonye posted celebratory comments about the fatal shooting of US conservative activist Charlie Kirk on Wednesday, prompting strong condemnation.
Kirk, 31, was shot dead while speaking at Utah Valley University on Wednesday in what authorities described as a political assassination.
According to The Daily Telegraph, Abaraonye allegedly wrote in a WhatsApp group, screenshots of which are being widely shared online, “Charlie Kirk got shot, let’s go,” while a separate Instagram post read, “Charlie Kirk got shot loool.”
In a statement, the Oxford Union said it “firmly opposes all forms of political violence” and stressed that Abaraonye’s reported remarks did not represent the society’s leadership.
“We would like to unequivocally condemn the reported words and sentiments … Our condolences lie with Charlie Kirk’s family, especially his wife and young children,” it said.
Abaraonye later apologised, saying he had “reacted impulsively” and deleted the posts once he learned Kirk had died. “Nobody deserves to be the victim of political violence ,” he said, while offering condolences.
At the same time, he pointed to Kirk’s record of controversial remarks on gun rights, Gaza, the Civil Rights Act, and LGBTQ communities, calling them “horrific and dehumanising.”
Kirk and Abaraonye had met during a debate on toxic masculinity held by the Oxford Union in May, the Telegraph reported.
Kirk, 31, was shot dead while speaking at Utah Valley University on Wednesday in what authorities described as a political assassination.
According to The Daily Telegraph, Abaraonye allegedly wrote in a WhatsApp group, screenshots of which are being widely shared online, “Charlie Kirk got shot, let’s go,” while a separate Instagram post read, “Charlie Kirk got shot loool.”
In a statement, the Oxford Union said it “firmly opposes all forms of political violence” and stressed that Abaraonye’s reported remarks did not represent the society’s leadership.
“We would like to unequivocally condemn the reported words and sentiments … Our condolences lie with Charlie Kirk’s family, especially his wife and young children,” it said.
Abaraonye later apologised, saying he had “reacted impulsively” and deleted the posts once he learned Kirk had died. “Nobody deserves to be the victim of political violence ,” he said, while offering condolences.
At the same time, he pointed to Kirk’s record of controversial remarks on gun rights, Gaza, the Civil Rights Act, and LGBTQ communities, calling them “horrific and dehumanising.”
Kirk and Abaraonye had met during a debate on toxic masculinity held by the Oxford Union in May, the Telegraph reported.
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