Right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk has died Wednesday after being shot while speaking at Utah Valley University.
President Donald Trump confirmed his death, announcing it on social media.
“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “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!”
A spokesperson for Kirk also confirmed his death to The New York Times.
In memory of Kirk, Trump ordered all American flags lowered to half mast until Sunday evening.
Footage of the incident circulating online appears to show Kirk being shot near his neck and bleeding profusely. The incident occurred roughly 20 minutes after Kirk began speaking.
Police do not have a suspect in custody, the university says.
Warning: Some readers may find the following image disturbing.
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According to multiple eyewitness reports, Kirk was shot while fielding a question about mass shootings in America. Students immediately began to flee and take cover. Reporters on the scene from Deseret News told CNN it appeared Kirk had lost a lot of blood “immediately.”
A petition had circulated before the event urging the conservative commentator and executive director of Turning Point USA not to speak at the university.
In response to Kirk’s death, Vice President JD Vance posted: “Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.”
Tess Crowley via AP
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) condemned the attack and vowed to hold the shooter fully accountable.
“Violence has no place in our public life,” he wrote on social media. “Americans of every political persuasion must unite in condemning this act. Our prayers are with Charlie, his family, and all those affected.”
Tess Crowley via AP
According to the Utah Valley University Police website, concealed carry is permitted on campus.
The university closed the campus Wednesday afternoon and canceled classes until further notice. Students were urged to leave the university campus immediately.
Mark Wilson via Getty Images
Kirk founded Turning Point USA nearly a decade ago and became a right-wing darling in short order. He previously served as an aide to Trump during Trump’s first presidency.
Kirk hosted “The Charlie Kirk Show,” a program where he frequently espoused hard-right views, often with links to white nationalist conspiracy theories. A report from the Southern Poverty Law Center in May noted that Kirk’s foray into right-wing politics started out with his promotion of a “secular worldview” for conservatives that encouraged the separation of church and state but that shifted and his message began to align more with the religious far-right.
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Kirk launched Turning Point Faith in an effort to organize pastors and churches in 2021, often blending Trumpist-style politics with his own messaging.
Kirk was at the university as part of a tour he dubbed “The American Comeback Tour.”
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
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