UTAH – Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative figure and close ally of US President Donald Trump, was killed in an assassination attempt while delivering a speech at Utah Valley University.
The US media reported that Kirk was targeted from a building located about 200 yards away from the venue. He was struck in the neck by a bullet and rushed to hospital in critical condition, but later succumbed to his injuries.
Reacting to the incident, President Donald Trump paid tribute to Kirk, calling him “a great man of historic importance.” Trump said no one understood the mindset of American youth better than Charlie Kirk, describing him as a beloved figure for himself and millions of others. He also extended heartfelt condolences to Kirk’s family.
Meanwhile, confusion surrounded the investigation as authorities released a second suspect who had been detained following the attack.
Earlier, an elderly man in the crowd was also briefly taken into custody but later freed. Police have faced sharp criticism over their failure to detect the gunman, who reportedly remained positioned on a rooftop for an extended period before the shooting.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox condemned the killing, terming it a politically motivated assassination. He vowed that law enforcement agencies are working tirelessly to bring those responsible to justice, stressing that “there is no place for violence in America.”
In honor of Kirk, flags at the White House and other federal buildings will fly at half-mast until Sunday.
Russian media, citing eyewitnesses, reported that Kirk was shot while speaking on issues related to transgender rights, a subject he had often criticized in his speeches.
Charlie Kirk, 31, was widely recognized as the founder of Turning Point USA, an organization established in 2012 to promote conservative values on college campuses across the United States.
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