Charlie Kirk killed in Utah Valley College taking pictures

Conservative political activist Charlie Kirk has died after being shot on Wednesday whereas talking to a big crowd at Utah Valley College in Orem, President Donald Trump stated.

An unknown gunman fired on the 31-year-old Kirk from a campus constructing 200 yards away simply after midday native time, hitting him as soon as within the neck, the college stated.

Kirk, who was married with two kids, was taken to a close-by hospital, the place he was in surgical procedure earlier than Trump introduced his demise.

The gunman remained at massive as of Wednesday afternoon, in line with a UVU spokeswoman.

UVU cancelled lessons and advised individuals who remained on campus to “safe in place till cops can escort you safely off campus.”

“The Nice, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is useless,” Trump wrote in a Reality Social publish.

“Nobody understood or had the Coronary heart of the Youth in the US of America higher than Charlie,” Trump wrote.

“He was beloved and admired by ALL, particularly me, and now, he’s not with us. Melania and my Sympathies exit to his stunning spouse Erika, and household. Charlie, we love you!”

Trump ordered U.S. flags lowered to half-mast by means of Sunday to mark Kirk’s demise.

Kirk was the co-founder of Turning Level USA and head of a number of associated political organizations. HIs motion, which was geared toward younger conservatives, has raised a whole lot of hundreds of thousands of {dollars}.

A staunch Trump supporter, Kirk was additionally a private good friend of high officers in Trump’s administration.

He was at Utah Valley College on Wednesday for the primary cease on Turning Level’s “American Comeback Tour,” in line with the group’s web site.

The occasion featured Kirk seated at his “show me fallacious desk,” a format during which he debated individuals who challenged his views.

UVU is Utah’s largest public college, with almost 47,000 enrolled college students as of fall 2023.

Shortly earlier than the taking pictures, Kirk tweeted concerning the occasion.

“WE. ARE. SO. BACK,” Kirk wrote on X.

“Utah Valley College is FIRED UP and READY for the primary cease again on the American Comeback Tour.”

Jason Chaffetz, a former Republican congressman from Utah, advised Fox Information that he was on the occasion with household, and about 2,000 or so different individuals, most of them college students.

Kirk had been requested a query about “transgender shootings, mass shootings” proper earlier than being shot, Chaffetz stated.

“As quickly as this shot rang out, all people hit the deck, after which all people began scattering and yelling and screaming, as you may think,” Chaffetz stated. “I am unable to say I noticed blood. I am unable to say I noticed him get shot, however as quickly as that shot went out, he fell again into his left and all people hit the deck.”

Kirk’s spouse, Erika Kirk, tweeted a biblical verse after the taking pictures.

“Psalm 46:1 – God is our refuge and power, a really current assist in bother,” Erika Kirk wrote.

Elected officers and others from either side of the political aisle issued statements of help for Kirk after he was shot and condolences after his demise was introduced.

“There isn’t any place in our nation for this sort of violence,” former President Joe Biden wrote in a tweet.

“It should finish now. Jill and I are praying for Charlie Kirk’s household and family members.”

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent wrote, “Relaxation in peace to my good friend, Charlie Kirk. My coronary heart is together with his family members at this devastating time. This inexcusable violence belongs nowhere in a civilized society. Charlie was a courageous man, a loyal husband, a loving father, and an ideal patriot. Please be part of me in praying for his household and our nation.”

Jack Schlossberg, whose grandfather, President John Kennedy, was assassinated in November 1963, wrote on X, “Charlie Kirk was assassinated right this moment. we’re all weaker due to it. A tragedy. I’m considering of his household.”

Home Speaker Mike Johnson, R–La., wrote, “Completely devastating. Charlie was an in depth good friend and confidant. He might be sorely missed by so many.”

“Each political chief should loudly and clearly decry this violence. Our prayers exit to his spouse and younger kids. Could he relaxation in peace,” Johnson wrote.

Former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords, a Democrat who was shot within the head by a gunman in Tuscon, Arizona, in 2011, stated, “The homicide of Charlie Kirk breaks my coronary heart. My deepest sympathies are together with his spouse, two younger kids, and buddies.”

“Democratic societies will all the time have political disagreements, however we must not ever permit America to turn out to be a rustic that confronts these disagreements with violence. Assaults towards political or ideological opponents are cowardly and un-American, and have to be universally condemned,” Giffords stated.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick wrote, “It is clear Charlie was assassinated for his political opinions. I solely hope the terrorist who killed him might be caught and justice might be swift.”

“Charlie might be remembered for his kindness, his loyalty, and his devotion to America,” Lutnick wrote.

Former President Barack Obama tweeted, “We do not but know what motivated the one who shot and killed Charlie Kirk, however this sort of despicable violence has no place in our democracy,”

” Michelle and I might be praying for Charlie’s household tonight, particularly his spouse Erika and their two younger kids,” Obama wrote.

Minutes after Kirk was shot, a number of individuals have been shot in a separate assault at Evergreen Excessive Faculty, positioned west of Denver, Colorado.

Three juveniles have been in essential situation after the taking pictures, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Workplace stated. A kind of juveniles is the suspected shooter, in line with the workplace.

Kirk’s slaying comes almost three months after a gunman killed Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortmann, a Democrat who beforehand served as speaker, her husband Mark Hortmann, and shot and wounded Minnesota state Senator John Hoffman and his spouse Yvette Hoffman.

The suspect in that case, Vance Boelter, faces pending state and federal legal fees.

— CNBC’s Erin Doherty contributed to this story.

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