OREM, Utah (AP) — Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist and close ally of President Donald Trump, was shot during a Utah college event on Wednesday, triggering widespread concerns about political violence in the nation.
News of his death was confirmed by Trump on social media, who hailed the 31-year-old Kirk as Great, and even Legendary. Trump declared on his Truth Social account that no one understood the youth of America better than Kirk.
The suspected shooter remains at large, according to Orem Mayor David Young, while a person taken into custody at the event is not the suspect.
Social media videos from the event show a moment of horror as Kirk was shot while speaking into a microphone, prompting chaotic reactions from the audience.
“We are confirming that he was shot and we are praying for Charlie,” stated Aubrey Laitsch, public relations manager for Turning Point USA.
Local law enforcement officials are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, which occurred just after Kirk was addressing a question about gun violence. The event, publicized with phrases like The American Comeback and Prove Me Wrong, drew significant attention on campus, which had been polarized over Kirk's visit.
In the wake of the shooting, numerous political figures, both Republican and Democrat, expressed their condolences and called for prayers for Kirk. Many emphasized the need to address rising political violence in the United States, referencing various violent events that have transpired this year.
Kirk co-founded Turning Point USA in 2012 and became a prominent conservative voice on college campuses, mobilizing support for conservative policies and candidates.
This tragic incident acts as a grim reminder of the increasingly unsafe landscape for political discourse in America today.
