Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative commentator, was fatally shot while addressing a large crowd at an outdoor event in Utah. He was 31 years old.
“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!” Donald Trump posted on Truth Social.
A spokesperson for Turning Point USA, which promotes conservative politics in high schools and universities, said, “Kirk has been murdered by a gunshot.”
A gunshot was fired
A single gunshot was heard while Kirk was speaking on the campus of Utah Valley University during Turning Point’s American Comeback tour. According to the Telegraph, Kirk collapsed to the ground, and video shared on social media showed blood streaming from a neck injury.
Fox News reported that one witness saw Kirk being shot, describing the bullet passing through his throat.
Reporter Emma Pitts, who is also a witness, depicted the moment of the shot to CNN: “Then you see Charlie go limp.”
Just before the shooting, Kirk was answering a question from an audience member about mass shootings and gun violence when a shot suddenly rang out.
Reports indicated the bullet was fired from a distance of 200 metres.
A person initially suspected of being the gunman was detained but was later confirmed not to be the shooter.
The mayor of Orem, Utah, David Young, said authorities were still looking for the suspect.
People at the university were instructed to ‘secure in place’, and the campus was closed.
A message on the school’s emergency information page advised those remaining on campus to call officials for a police escort to leave the area.
“May he be received into the merciful arms of our loving Saviour, who suffered and died for Charlie,” Turning Point posted online.
“We ask that everyone keep his family and loved ones in your prayers.”
Turning Point was established in suburban Chicago in 2012 by Kirk, who was 18 at the time, and William Montgomery, a tea party activist, with the aim of promoting low taxes and limited government on college campuses.
In honour of Charlie Kirk, Trump announced that all American flags across the United States would be flown at half-mast until Sunday evening at 6pm.