Charlie Kirk speaks at CPAC in Oxon Hill, Maryland. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)
"Obviously, no person should be gunned down. No person should be murdered. Not kids in schools, not lawmakers in their homes, not political antagonists," she said.
"At the same time, I don't feel the need to sugarcoat or ignore or gloss over some of the behavior that Mr. Kirk, himself, engaged in while he was living … A death, even a horrible death, does not automatically erase the harm a person did in his life. In my opinion, Charlie Kirk engaged in promoting political violence and division."
"While I hold empathy for Mr. Kirk -- In fact, I hold empathy and compassion for our entire nation right now. And I pray for our nation as a person of faith … God understands that I'm struggling with these feelings," she said.
She reiterated that Kirk should not have been murdered but that while in life, Kirk "pressed against my community."
Randall, who is Black, alleged Kirk also "put many communities in increased danger."
TA-NEHISI COATES CALLS CHARLIE KIRK A 'HATEMONGER' WHO SHOULDN'T BE CELEBRATED
Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Phyllis Randall speaks at IAD in 2023. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Supervisor Caleb Kerschner of Hamilton, one of two Republicans on the board, said in his public remarks that the nation hadn’t seen a political figure murdered so publicly since the assassinations of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Kennedy brothers.
"What makes it even more chilling is it appears to be done in political ideological reasons: Something we would see in other countries, but not America," Kerschner said.
Kerschner added that the most disturbing development following Kirk’s murder has been "internet trolls and radical individuals" celebrating the killing.
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"It is one thing to oppose and argue the ideology of someone you disagree with. It is quite another to promote violence towards such individuals. America was built on the principles of freedom of thought, freedom of speech, freedom of debate, and individual liberty. No one can deny or disagree that Charlie lived by this and openly encouraged discourse from any who would engage," he said.
The board’s vice chairman, Michael Turner, a Democrat from Ashburn, echoed Kerschner in recounting growing up in the 1960s when political violence was last at its peak.
"We are in a tit-for-tat across the board at every level of our society for hatred," said Turner.
In the wake of Kirk’s murder, he said he wants to be more understanding of opposing views.
"I have a friend who’s a MAGA -- he is a friend, but he’s a MAGA -- I don’t quite know how to reconcile that, but I do every day because he's a friend," he said.
Charles Creitz is a reporter for Fox News Digital.
He joined Fox News in 2013 as a writer and production assistant.
Charles covers media, politics and culture for Fox News Digital.
Charles is a Pennsylvania native and graduated from Temple University with a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism. Story tips can be sent to charles.creitz@fox.com.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/loudoun-county-chair-mixes-criticism-compassion-remarks-slain-activist-charlie-kirk