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Charlie Kirk was assassinated earlier today. The news just broke—and it’s already sending shockwaves. People on the right are stunned. Many are enraged. And there are some on the left who are—insanely enough—celebrating.
Whether you followed him or couldn’t stand him, here’s the truth: This could get worse before it gets better. This has the potential to become a flashpoint that leads to further violence.
As one person said on X:
“Charlie Kirk is a fixture of the Gen Z social media diet. People feel like they know him. This will hit very, very close to home in ways we are not prepared for.”
And they’re right. Because this isn’t just about one man’s death. It’s about what comes next. It’s about how people respond. Additionally, it’s about how you respond when things start to escalate. It’s about how our society has normalized violence, where assassinating people for having a different opinion is being celebrated and encouraged. That, obviously, never leads anywhere good—especially if tit for tat of retribution violence begins.
This article isn’t about politics. It’s about preparation for a situation that has the potential to become much larger and more inflamed. Here’s what to watch for, how to stay safe, and what you need to do before your emotions drag you somewhere you never intended to go.
TL;DR: Charlie Kirk’s assassination has escalated tensions. Here’s how to stay calm, think clearly, and make deliberate choices.
Quick Look at What You’ll Learn
National Flashpoint: The Reactions
Charlie Kirk’s death is a very big deal. He was revered by his followers, and with 5.4 million followers on X alone, he has a big following.
Some are mourning. Others are furious. And many are now openly calling for retaliation.
One influencer with 180,000 followers wrote:
“No one deserves to die for their political beliefs, or practicing their 1st amendment right. To the left, you wanted a war — you got it. We won’t let Charlie’s passing be in vain.”
Zack, who has over 1.1 million followers, added:
“Anyone surprised at what happened to Charlie Kirk hasn’t been paying attention. Go anywhere—Reddit, Twitter—and you’ll find thousands of unhinged direct calls to violence over politics. Until it’s addressed for what it is, things like this will continue to happen.”
Meanwhile, pockets of the internet are openly celebrating the assassination. Some hashtags are trending with memes, jokes, and even party emojis. That may be the most dangerous sign of all.
This wasn’t just a random figure on cable news. Charlie Kirk was a key figure in Gen Z’s conservative political identity, particularly on the right. His face, voice, and message were fixtures on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. For many, this is a deeply personal matter.
And that makes the situation more unstable.
🛜 For Further Information:Visit Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point USA website to explore his message and perspective.
The Real Threat Isn’t Just “Out There”
When tensions spike, most people picture street riots, looting, or flash mobs. And sure—those are possible. But in the immediate hours and days after an assassination, the biggest threat isn’t just violence in the streets. It’s emotional escalation.
That includes:
- Mob mentality—online and in person.
- Retaliatory acts—one-off, localized violence from individuals and small groups.
- Information warfare—rumors and misinformation spreading faster than facts.
- Personal overreaction—decisions made in anger.
What to Watch For (Situational Awareness in a National Crisis)
1. Changes in your local environment
- Protests announced in nearby cities
- Police presence ramps up (or pulls back)
- Political gatherings that could be targets of opportunity
2. Online rhetoric escalating
- Calls for “revenge” or “taking up arms”
- Doxxing, targeting, and threats
- Emotional manipulation disguised as breaking news
3. Family or friends falling into cognitive traps
- Normalcy bias: “That could never happen here.”
- Groupthink: “Everyone I follow says it was a setup.”
- Panic: “I need to do something right now.”
You can’t control others. But you do need to know when their actions are bleeding into your life.
When Anger Hijacks Your Mind
Here’s what most people forget: Anger is the thief of rational thought, and the creator of future regret.
In times like this, the brain can perceive this as an attack on you. That’s what happens when we get emotionally fired up. The brain moves from reason to reaction. The central nervous system gets louder, trying to override your rational thought. It wants you to do something!
So what do you do instead?
- Pause the input. Turn off the news. Step away from Twitter. Put down the phone.
- Breathe (literally). A deep breath signals to your body that it’s not under immediate threat.
- Ask this one question: “What could you do right now that is positive and productive?”
Anger is a choice. And while at times like this, it’s understandable, it’s probably not the most helpful choice.
Instead, try to redirect your anger into something positive. Go through your food inventory, dump out your bug-out bag, or take some action to get you better prepared.
Stewing in anger, which I did a lot in my previous life, so I’m somewhat of an expert, is not good for anyone.
How to Stay Safe in the Days That Follow
This isn’t about hunkering down, locking yourself in your home. This is about being mindful and practical. Measured. Effective.
1. Have a Plan
- Do you and your loved ones have a plan if violence kicks off?
- What’s your fallback location if your area sees unrest?
2. Avoid “hot zones”
- Try to avoid crowded areas for a bit, especially if it’s a political crowd.
- Don’t engage in counter-protests.
- Keep in mind that September 11 is tomorrow, so avoiding crowded places is especially encouraged.
3. Watch your ego, not just your six
- You don’t win by confronting others.
- Be mindful that people are becoming increasingly heated with one another.
Be smart in the near term. While Charlie’s death is a tragedy, we’re lucky the shooter didn’t kill others.
If You Saw It Happen
Many people watched the video and freeze frames of Charlie being shot. It’s everywhere already. And if you watched it—I’m sorry you had to see that.
As someone who’s worked real-world trauma scenes and gruesome calls as a paramedic, I can tell you firsthand that stuff can leave a mark. One of the small pieces of good that came from doing that job was knowing that we were the ones who saw the horrors of life, so others didn’t have to. That shield comes at a cost.
Watching someone die—especially in a violent, chaotic way—is not just disturbing. It’s disorienting. It shocks your system. And it might take a while to process. Sometimes we can’t process it without help. That’s not weakness—that’s human.
So if you’re feeling off, scattered, anxious, angry—or just numb—check in with yourself. Keep tabs on your sleep. Your thoughts. Your energy. And if things don’t level out after a while, talk to someone you trust. There’s no shame in not being okay after seeing something like that.
That sensation of feeling off is your inner self trying to make sense of something that is almost too wild to comprehend. It doesn’t feel real.
Additional Resources
Read the full article here
