US right-wing commentator and activist Charlie Kirk, a prominent ally of US President Donald Trump, was tragically killed in what authorities have called a political assassination.
The incident occurred on Wednesday during an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, where Kirk was speaking to a large audience.
The suspect had not been publicly named by Wednesday evening, almost six hours after the shooting. FBI Director Kash Patel stated that a “subject” had been taken in for questioning but was later released. He assured the public that the investigation would continue with updates to follow for transparency, reports agencies.
Governor Spencer Cox confirmed in a press conference that a “person of interest” was being questioned, though further details about their identity were not shared. At the same conference, Beau Mason, commissioner of the Utah Department of Public Safety, confirmed that the shooter was still “at large.”
Footage from the scene, shared online, showed Kirk, 31, addressing the crowd at around 12:20pm MT (GMT -6), when a gunshot was heard. Kirk could be seen touching his neck and collapsing from his chair as the crowd scattered in panic. In a second clip, blood was seen streaming from his neck moments after the shot.
Authorities believe the gunman likely fired from a rooftop at a distance. An estimated 3,000 people in attendance. Jeff Long, head of the university’s police department, reported that six officers were present at the event and worked closely with Kirk’s private security team.
In honour of Kirk, President Trump ordered US flags to be flown at half-staff until Sunday. Trump paid tribute to Kirk, writing, “The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us.”
Kirk’s death adds to a concerning rise in political violence in the US, following recent assassination attempts against Trump. Governor Cox described the incident as “a dark day for our state, it’s a tragic day for our nation,” and reaffirmed that it was a “political assassination.”
The shooting took place during the first event of Kirk’s planned 15-stop “American Comeback Tour” at universities across the country. His events, which typically attracted large student crowds, were used to engage in live debates with attendees.
Just moments before being shot, Kirk was responding to a question from the audience about gun violence. The question asked was, “Do you know how many mass shooters there have been in America in the last 10 years?” Kirk responded, “Counting or not counting gang violence?” before being shot.
Kirk was a key figure in mobilising young voters for Trump’s campaigns, co-founding Turning Point USA, the largest conservative youth organisation in the US.
“You had Turning Point’s grassroots armies,” Trump said at a rally in Phoenix in December, after winning his second presidential term. “It’s not my victory, it’s your victory.”
He had 5.3 million followers on X, hosted a popular podcast, and co-hosted on “Fox & Friends.” He was part of a network of pro-Trump conservative influencers who amplified the president’s agenda and engaged in culture war issues.
Kirk leaves behind a wife and two young children.
