“Our condolences go out to his family and all of his loved ones,” Colbert said of Kirk, who leaves behind a wife and two young children.
He then launched into a plea for the nation.
“I’m old enough to personally remember the political violence of the 1960s, and I hope it is obvious to everyone in America that political violence does not solve any of our political differences,” he said. “Political violence only leads to more political violence, and I pray with all my heart that this is the aberrant action of a madman and not a sign of things to come.”
Kirk, 31, was shot and killed while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University.
As of early Thursday, no suspect had been named.
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Colbert’s regular “Late Show” monologue followed his opening message:
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