President Donald Trump has announced the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk following the shooting at Utah Valley University.
Posting on his Truth Social platform, the president wrote: “The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead.”
Kirk, 31, the founder of Turning Point USA and a prominent ally of the Trump administration, was shot on Wednesday afternoon while speaking at a student-organised event in Orem, Utah. A gunman fired from a campus building around 200 yards away, striking him in the neck. He was rushed from the scene by his security team and later taken to hospital in critical condition.
Witnesses described chaotic scenes as students fled the venue. Initial confusion surrounded the suspect, with university officials issuing multiple contradictory statements before clarifying that a person detained was released and the shooter remains unidentified.
Vice President JD Vance and other senior officials had earlier called for prayers as Kirk fought for his life. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins had also confirmed that Kirk was in critical condition before Trump confirmed his death.
Kirk rose to prominence as the founder of Turning Point USA, building a national following among conservative students and regularly appearing at White House events during Trump’s presidency. He leaves behind two young children.