Then-Governor Kirk Paul gives his farewell address on May 9, 2024. He is currently in critical condition following a shooting early during the morning on June 25, 2024.
JESSTOPIAN NEWS NETWORK - Former embattled Mesa Governor Kirk Paul is fighting for his life after being shot a little after 1:00 AM this morning. He was shot while attempting to get back into his hotel room in downtown Mesa. The shooter has yet to be identified by police as they await more information from the investigative team.
Kirk Paul served as the 19th Governor of Mesa, before resigning on April 25, 2023, following backlash over his signing of anti-trans policies, and indirectly causing the deaths of two transgender teenagers. The Governor reluctantly resigned and issued that he "would be back to politics."
Paul's security details said they had been dealing with several drunk individuals who were attempting to gain access to the Governor's hotel room. It is believed, that the shooter than took advantage of his security being occupied by the drunk individuals that he accessed his room, shooting Kirk Paul point blank in the chest.
"This is just unacceptable," said Captain C. Rodriguez of the Mesa Highway Patrol. "Paul is critical condition and is now fighting for his life. The Mesa Highway Patrol is committed to finding the cause of this shooting."
Kirk Paul has been known to spark hate across the state and investigators are saying that his racism and anti-LGBTQ sentiment could be a potential cause for this shooting. They say they are working with Governor Joshua Adamson's office as well as the State attorney General's office to investigate this shooting, and are calling in federal investigators as it involves a State government official.
"The Paul family is in our prayers as Kirk continues to fight for his life at the hospital," said Governor Joshua Adamson, who served as Paul's Lt. Governor from 2021-2023. "We will continue to keep in contact with his family as they work through this hard and difficult time."
No further word on the shooting are available at this time and Kirk Paul's condition remains as critical. Kirk Paul, 42, served as the 19th Governor Of Mesa from 2021 until his resignation in 2023. He has definitely ruffled feathers during his leadership including making several racist remarks during his time as host of Alden Prime Time.
The suspect, whose identity is being withheld pending the investigation, could face murder charges if Kirk Paul dies while in the hospital. Paul's family say it is absolutely "devastating." They say they are "working everyday to get past the death of Matt Paul, who died in 2022." They said they "will now have to work towards get Kirk healed and recovered."