Charlie Kirk killed in Utah!
International Desk, Sep 10 (EFE).-
Conservative commentator and activist Charlie Kirk, a close ally of United States President Donald Trump, was fatally shot on Wednesday during an event at Utah Valley University, authorities and political leaders confirmed.
A manhunt was underway for the suspect, who is believed to have fired from the roof of a building into the student courtyard, killing the 30-year-old.
“Great, even legendary, Charlie Kirk has died,” Trump wrote on his platform Truth Social. “He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us.”
Videos circulating on social media showed Kirk being struck while seated under a tent in front of attendees, which Utah Valley University police chief Jeff Long estimated at about 3,000 people.
According to US Attorney General Pam Bondi, Kirk was hit in the neck by a single shot. He died later in hospital.
Federal agents from the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) were deployed as part of the investigation.
FBI Director Kash Patel said that one person was detained but “released after an interrogation by law enforcement. Our investigation continues and we will continue to release information in interest of transparency.”
“This is a dark day for our state, it’s a tragic day for our nation. I want to be very clear that this is a political assassination,” said Utah’s Republican Governor Spencer Cox in a press conference.
“To whoever did this: we will find you. We will try you. And we will hold you accountable to the furthest extent of the law. And I just want to remind people we still have the death penalty here in the state of Utah.”
In a later video statement, Trump said that “Charlie is a patriot who devoted his life to the cause of open debate and the country that he loves so much, the United States of America.”
“This is a dark moment for America,” he added.
While Trump blamed the “radical left”, both former leaders Joe Biden and Barack Obama were among the Democrats who publicly condemned the killing.
Authorities have not yet released details on the identity or possible motive of the suspect.
A crowd was gathering at the Utah State Capitol for a vigil on Wednesday evening.
Born in October 1993 in Illinois, Kirk founded Turning Point USA, which aims to spread conservative ideals in US colleges, at the age of 18, and he became a prominent voice in US right-wing politics. He was a husband and father of two.
Kirk was a frequent commentator, writer, and speaker at Republican campaign rallies, known for his close ties to Trump. He supported the former president in multiple appearances and attended his inauguration.
The evangelical Christian had spoken in defense of gun ownership, reportedly saying at Turning Point USA Faith in 2023: “I think it’s worth to have a cost of, unfortunately, some gun deaths every single year so that we can have the second amendment to protect our other God-given rights.”
Among his many far-right views, he had also openly displayed homophobic and Islamaphobic beliefs. Just on Tuesday he tweeted: “Islam is the sword the left is using to slit the throat of America.”
Turning Point USA’s website says its mission is to “identify, educate, train, and organize students to promote the principles of fiscal responsibility, free markets, and limited government.” EFE
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