A shocking shooting incident in America has stirred the nation. Renowned conservative activist and close ally of President Donald Trump, Charlie Kirk, was shot dead during a program at Utah Valley University (UVU) on Wednesday. The 31-year-old Kirk was killed while delivering a speech to an audience of about 3,000 students at the university. President Trump has expressed grief over his death, and in his honor, American flags have been lowered to half-staff until Sunday evening by the President's orders.
In a video circulating on social media, Kirk can be seen speaking to the crowd when the sound of gunfire rings out. The bullet strikes Kirk in the neck, causing him to clutch his neck and collapse onto his chair.
Officials revealed on Thursday that the suspect is still at large. During a press conference, the FBI and other authorities stated that the gunman has not been captured yet.
The FBI has released images and videos of a person wearing a black T-shirt seen fleeing by jumping from a roof. However, the person's identity remains unknown.
The motive behind the murder remains unclear, but President Trump hinted at having some indications as to why the crime took place. The suspect is believed to be a college-going student.
Authorities discovered a bolt-action rifle in a nearby forest. It is believed that this rifle was used in the shooting incident. According to someone familiar with the investigation, the rifle and its unfired cartridges bore messages against transgender individuals and fascism.
Utah's Governor Spencer Cox stated after the shooting, 'This is a dark day for our state. It is a tragic day for our country. I want to make it clear that this was a political assassination.'
Kirk was on a speaking tour at Utah Valley University as part of the 'American Comeback Tour,' planning to visit at least 15 universities across the country, with UVU being his first stop.
Chief of UVU Police Jeff Long mentioned that six police officers were stationed at the event, attended by more than 3,000 students. Kirk was accompanied by a private security detail.
Before the shooting, he was seated at his 'Prove Me Wrong' debate table, engaging with the audience. A video reveals that Kirk was in conversation with a student about mass shootings and transgender issues in America when he was shot.
Kirk was asked, 'Do you know how many transgender Americans have committed mass shootings in the past decade?' To which Kirk replied, 'Quite a few,' prompting applause from the audience.
Following this, he was questioned, 'Do you know how many mass shooting incidents have occurred in America in the past ten years?' Kirk responded, 'Do we count gang violence or not?' Just then, Kirk was struck in the neck by a bullet and fell from his chair.
Reports indicate that Kirk was shot about 20 minutes into his speech, which began at around 12:10 pm.
Kirk was one of America's prominent conservative activists and media personalities. He was a trusted ally of President Trump. At the young age of 18, he founded a non-profit conservative advocacy group named Turning Point USA.
Kirk's organization evolved into the largest conservative youth movement in the country and became a key player in the network of Trump-supporting influencers over time. The group was an integral part of Trump's 'Make America Great Again' call.
During the 2024 presidential election campaign, Kirk inspired young and Black voters to cast their votes in favor of Trump in large numbers, earning praise from Trump himself.
Kirk was an outspoken critic of mainstream media, often voicing his opinions on issues of race, gender, and immigration. His fiery style gathered supporters and a considerable number of adversaries.
Kirk was close friends with President Trump's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., and the two even traveled together to Greenland in January. As Trump deliberated over whether Senator J.D. Vance would be his vice-presidential pick, Kirk had already expressed his belief that Vance should be the one.
On the social media platform X, Kirk had 5.5 million followers, and he hosted a podcast and radio show called 'The Charlie Kirk Show,' attracting over half a million listeners every month. Additionally, Kirk was a regular presence on Fox News.
According to a New York Times report, Kirk never sought an administrative role, instead aiming to reshape the Republican Party and American politics.
In February, he told the New York Times Magazine, 'We want to change the culture.'
Kirk had made numerous controversial statements on issues such as gun laws, Black Americans, Gaza, and Islam. He criticized the 'Black Lives Matter' movement and claimed that White Americans face more attacks from Blacks in the U.S.
In a May interview with GB News, he stated that Islam contradicts Western values. Kirk said, 'Islam does not believe in freedom of expression, freedom of religion, or the separation of mosque and state.'
