Charlie Kirk Sparks Outrage with “Don’t Belong” NYC Shooting Remark

The tragic mass shooting inside a Manhattan office building on Monday, leaving four dead including NYPD Officer Didarul Islam, was met with immediate grief and calls for unity. Hours later, pro-Trump activist Charlie Kirk ignited a firestorm with a social media post many condemned as exploitative and xenophobic.

Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, wrote on X: “Was just in NYC all weekend with our family. Never felt safe. So many people in the city who don’t belong. Praying for all involved.” The comment, posted shortly after news broke of the shooting at 345 Park Avenue (home to NFL offices), drew swift backlash. Critics accused Kirk of using the horrific event to push a divisive narrative targeting marginalized groups, particularly given Officer Islam was an immigrant from Bangladesh.

The Tragedy Unfolds: Victims and Shooter Identified

Authorities confirmed the shooter as 27-year-old Shane Tamura. Armed with an AR-15-style rifle, Tamura opened fire in the building’s lobby. Among the victims was Officer Didarul Islam, 36, a father of two working security. The NYPD honored him, stating: “Police Officer Didarul Islam represented the very best of our department… We will forever honor his legacy.” Three other individuals were also killed before Tamura died from a self-inflicted gunshot. A suicide note found near Tamura reportedly expressed grievances with the NFL and claimed he suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

Kirk’s Comments Fuel Widespread Condemnation

Kirk’s suggestion that the city’s danger stemmed from people who “don’t belong” sparked immediate outrage. Critics highlighted the bitter irony that Officer Islam, an immigrant hero killed protecting others, could be seen as someone Kirk implied didn’t belong. Social media users pointed out that Kirk’s home city of Phoenix, Arizona, consistently records a higher homicide rate than New York City.

• Safety Context: Kirk’s claim of pervasive danger contradicts recent data. Bloomberg reported in July 2025 that New York City is on track for its lowest homicide rate in over 80 years, remaining one of the world’s safest major cities.
• Racial Undertones: Many labeled Kirk’s language blatantly racist. One user tweeted, “it’s wild how Charlie Kirk… is now trying to be more racist than Nick Fuentes just to stay relevant.” Others noted the comment exploited tragedy to stigmatize immigrants and minorities.
• Lack of Empathy: The timing and framing of Kirk’s post, prioritizing his perceived lack of safety over condolences for the victims and their families, was widely seen as callous and politically motivated.

The backlash underscores a painful divide: while communities mourn a fallen immigrant officer who embodied service, others exploit fear to marginalize those deemed outsiders. Kirk’s inflammatory rhetoric, juxtaposed against Officer Islam’s sacrifice and NYC’s improving safety record, reveals a narrative starkly at odds with facts and basic humanity. Demand accountability for harmful speech that divides in moments demanding unity.

Must Know

What exactly did Charlie Kirk say about the NYC shooting?
Kirk posted on X shortly after the shooting: “Was just in NYC all weekend with our family. Never felt safe. So many people in the city who don’t belong. Praying for all involved.” He linked to a news report about the tragedy. Critics argued the post blamed marginalized groups for the violence instead of focusing on the victims.

Who was the NYPD officer killed in the Manhattan shooting?
Officer Didarul Islam, 36, was fatally shot while working security at 345 Park Avenue. An immigrant from Bangladesh and a father of two, he was hailed by the NYPD as representing “the very best of our department” for protecting New Yorkers from danger. His death highlighted the service of immigrant communities.

Is New York City actually unsafe, as Kirk implied?
No, data contradicts Kirk’s implication. According to a July 2025 Bloomberg report, New York City is experiencing its lowest homicide rate in over eight decades. Experts consistently rank it among the safest large cities globally. Kirk’s perception starkly contrasts with these verified crime statistics.

Why were Kirk’s comments considered offensive?
Critics cited several reasons: Exploiting a tragedy for political rhetoric; using racially charged language implying immigrants or minorities (“people who don’t belong”) make cities unsafe; the bitter irony that a hero victim, Officer Islam, was an immigrant; and ignoring Phoenix’s higher murder rate compared to NYC.

What was the alleged motive of the NYC shooter?
Authorities found a suicide note near shooter Shane Tamura’s body. Reports indicate he expressed grievances against the NFL (whose offices were in the building) and claimed to suffer from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain condition linked to repeated head trauma. The official investigation into his motive is ongoing.