Pro-Trump Young Activist Assassinated at U.S. University Event... Trump Mourns (Comprehensive)

Charlie Kirk Shot During Speech at Utah University
Suspected Political Assassination... Suspect Still at Large
Trump Orders Nationwide Half-Staff, Offers Condolences

Charlie Kirk, a close associate of U.S. President Donald Trump and the young activist who founded the right-wing group Turning Point USA, was shot and killed at the age of 31 during a university event in Utah on the 10th (local time), according to reports from the Associated Press and others.

President Trump mourned Kirk's death on his social media platform Truth Social, stating, "The great and legendary Charlie Kirk has passed away."

Charlie Kirk, Founder of Turning Point USA. Photo by AP Yonhap News

He continued, "No one understood the hearts of America's youth better than Charlie. He was loved and respected by everyone, especially me, but he is no longer with us. Melania and I send our condolences to his beautiful wife Erika and his family."

President Trump ordered flags to be flown at half-staff across the United States until 6 p.m. on the 14th in honor of Kirk.

Kirk was shot while speaking about mass shootings and gun violence during a debate hosted by his organization at Utah Valley University in Utah that day.

The Associated Press, citing law enforcement officials, reported that one person was taken into custody by police at the university, but it was confirmed that this individual was not the shooting suspect. The suspect has not yet been apprehended.

Although there has been no official statement from law enforcement, U.S. media outlets speculated that the shooting, which involved only a single shot aimed at Kirk, was likely a politically motivated assassination. Prior to the event, there had reportedly been significant division on campus regarding the hosting of the event.

In 2012, at the age of 18, Kirk co-founded Turning Point USA with William Montgomery, an activist in the conservative Tea Party movement, rallying support for President Trump and the Republican Party among young people. He began supporting President Trump during the 2016 presidential election and was known to be close to Donald Trump Jr., even serving as his personal assistant. Kirk actively participated in the conservative "culture war" through cable television and podcasts.