Conservative activist and known republican Charlie Kirk has died aged 31 following a shooting at an event at Utah Valley University.
Police confirmed the shooting
Utah police confirmed that the shooting took place at around 12:20 p.m. local time on Wednesday, September 10.
Kirk, who is a known ally to US President Donald Trump, was at Utah Valley University as part of his ‘Prove Me Wrong (The American Comeback)’ tour where he discusses politics with college students.
Footage of the moment was shared online
Footage of the moment of shooting broke out on social media where a gunshot can be heard before Kirk is seen clutching his neck.
Attendees of the event, many of whom were university students, are then seen dispersing in fear.
Trump issued a statement after his death
Donald Trump has since issued a statement following Kirk’s death.
“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 said per the BBC.
The president shared his condolences
Trump added, “He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!”
He has also ordered flags to be flown at half mast
Trump has also ordered that US flags be flown at half mast in mourning.
He wrote, “In honor of Charlie Kirk, a truly Great American Patriot, I am ordering all American Flags throughout the United States lowered to Half Mast until Sunday evening at 6 P.M.”
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The university had put out a statement
Shortly following the shooting and before Kirk’s death was confirmed, Utah Valley University put out a statement saying, “Today at about 12.10, a shot was fired at the visiting speaker, Charlie Kirk. He was hit and taken from the location by his security. Campus police is investigating.”
The shooter is still at large
According to the BBC and several other news outlets, the shooter is still at large with a manhunt still ongoing.
The university has also said that police were conducting a ‘building by building’ search on campus.
The campus is currently closed
The university’s follow-up statement read, “UVU campus is closed. Classes cancelled.”
“Those on campus, secure in place until police officers can escort you safely off campus. Police are currently going building to building escorting people off campus. Roads to campus are currently closed.”
