Conservative activist and Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk died Wednesday after he was shot at an event at Utah Valley University. He was 31 years old.
A suspect has not been identified, and state authorities said Wednesday evening a “manhunt” for the shooter is still in progress. Two people who were taken into custody earlier were not tied to the shooting and were later released.
Utah Valley University police said they were going “building to building” to evacuate people.
President Trump posted on Truth Social: “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!”
Kirk was participating in an event at the Orem, Utah, school as part of his organization’s “The American Comeback Tour” when he was attacked.
The university said in a statement shared to social media that a shot was fired at Kirk shortly after 12 p.m. local time, and he was hit. A single shot was fired, two law enforcement sources told CBS News.
Video of the incident showed Kirk speaking to a large crowd at an outdoor “Prove Me Wrong” debate, where he invites students to challenge his political and cultural views, when the shot rings out.
Elected officials on both sides of the aisle had swiftly condemned the attack on Kirk and denounced acts of political violence.
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