Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist and close ally of President Donald Trump, has died after being shot during an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. Trump announced on social media that Kirk, who played an influential role in rallying young Republican voters, has died after he was shot in the neck while speaking at a Utah Valley University event on Wednesday (local time).
The shooting comes amid a spike in political violence in the United States across all parts of the ideological spectrum.
Trump pays tribute to Charlie Kirk
The US President paid tributes to the conservative activist, calling him "The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk."
In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump wrote, "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!"
American flags throughout the US to be lowered to half-mast
The White House also informed that Trump has ordered that all American flags throughout the United States will be lowered to half-mast. The White House wrote in an X post, "In honor of Charlie Kirk, President Trump is ordering all American flags throughout the US to be lowered to Half Mast."
Charlie Kirk was killed by a single shot
Authorities say conservative activist Charlie Kirk was killed by a single shot in an apparent targeted attack during an outdoor event Wednesday at Utah Valley University. Kirk co-founded the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA and was a close ally of President Donald Trump.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox called the act a political assassination carried out from a rooftop. "This is a dark day for our state. It’s a tragic day for our nation," said Utah Governor. "I want to be very clear this is a political assassination."
Meanwhile, FBI Director Kash Patel said that the suspect in the horrific shooting that killed conservative activist Charlie Kirk was taken into custody but was released after an interrogation by law enforcement.
What happened at the Utah college event?
Videos posted to social media from Utah Valley University show Kirk speaking into a handheld microphone while sitting under a white tent emblazoned with the slogans "The American Comeback" and "Prove Me Wrong." He was speaking at a debate hosted by his nonprofit political organisation. Kirk was taking questions from an audience member about mass shootings and gun violence.
A person in the audience asked him, "Do you know how many transgender Americans have been mass shooters over the last 10 years?"
Kirk responded, "Too many."
The questioner followed up: "Do you know how many mass shooters there have been in America over the last 10 years?"
"Counting or not counting gang violence?" Kirk asked.
A single gunshot suddenly echoed, and video footage captured Kirk clutching his neck as blood streamed from the left side. Shocked gasps and screams erupted as the crowd scrambled in panic, rushing out of the tent.
The attack comes against the backdrop of escalating political violence in the US, including the killing of a Minnesota legislator, a firebombing in Colorado, and last year’s attempt on Donald Trump’s life.
(With AP inputs)