US president Donald Trump said on Wednesday that conservative influencer Charlie Kirk has died after being shot during an event on a university campus in Utah.
“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,” Mr Trump said on Truth Social.
“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!”
Prominent US conservative commentator Mr Kirk was shot while speaking at a campus event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday, a university spokesperson and Mr Kirk’s spokesperson said.
RM Block
The university spokeswoman said Mr Kirk was struck about 20 minutes after he began speaking on campus. She said a suspect had fired at Mr Kirk from the Losee Center, a building about 200 yards away.
She said Mr Kirk’s security took him away after the shooting.
Another university spokesperson said police have determined that a person taken into custody after the shooting was not actually the shooter.
Mr Kirk was the head of Turning Point USA, the US’s preeminent conservative youth organisation. Andrew Kolvet, a spokesperson for Turning Point USA, confirmed Mr Kirk was shot in the neck.
Videos taken at the event that were circulating online showed people running at the sound of a gunshot. One video appeared to show Mr Kirk’s head jerking back as he delivered remarks. He can be seen briefly moving his hand to his neck as he falls off his chair.
Earlier, Mr Donald Trump posted on social media in support of Mr Kirk. “We must all pray for Charlie Kirk, who has been shot,” he wrote on Truth Social. “A great guy from top to bottom. GOD BLESS HIM!”
FBI Director Kash Patel said on X: “Our thoughts are with Charlie, his loved ones, and everyone affected.”
Mr Kirk emerged in recent years as one of the most influential young conservatives in the country and established himself as a close ally of Mr Trump. He cofounded Turning Point USA in 2012 and became a fixture on college campuses, where he hosted rallies like the one in Utah that often draw large crowds.
Even though he was not part of the administration, his influence in the White House was significant. Since the November election, he helped vet prospective appointees, testing their loyalty to Mr Trump. — Reuters/New York Times
