House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) said the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on Wednesday in Utah “brings back emotions” from when he was shot during Congressional baseball practice eight years ago.  

“You know, it always when you see something like this, brings back emotions that hearken back to 2017, you know. And why do you have people that want to go and harm other people for what they believe in, especially in America?” Scalise said during a Wednesday evening interview with The Hill’s sister network NewsNation. “I mean, it’s not who America is. It’s not something we can let America become and everybody, you know, we all have differences. It’s what makes us such a great nation.”

Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. The conservative activist was struck by a gunshot in the neck, according to footage from the scenes that was posted on social media. 

Scalise was wounded during Congressional baseball practice in June 2017. Three others were also injured in the attack. James Hodgkinson, the 66-year-old shooter from Illinois, was killed by Capitol Police. 

Less than two hours after announcing the alleged subject was detained related to Kirk’s murder, FBI Director Kash Patel said late Wednesday that the individual was “released after an interrogation” and that the probe, involving local, state and federal law enforcement “continues.” 

It is unclear if law enforcement has taken more people into custody or if the shooter is still at large.

“Well, it’s heartbreaking. You know, for Charlie, for his family, you know he’s got young kids, it’s just devastating from that side. You know, there’s a lot of anger, obviously. I mean, you know, here’s one of the most talented young people of our generation who was taken away in his prime by some nut and for no, no reason,” Scalise told NewsNation’s Ava Thompson. 

“I mean, there’s no justification for murdering somebody for their political views. Obviously, we’ll find out more, and I trust law enforcement, you know, they’re all working together, the FBI on down to local officials, working to get the answers that we all want, but, but it’s just a sad loss and a horrible, horrible day, yeah,” the House majority leader added. 

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) also condemned the fatal shooting of Kirk, calling it a “political assassination” and a “dark day” for both Utah and the nation.