A key supporter of Donald Trump has died after being shot on stage at a university event, the US President has confirmed.
Charlie Kirk, a controversial figure who founded right wing youth group Turning Point USA, was at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, on Wednesday afternoon (US time), when he was shot in the neck in front of hundreds of people.
Kirk was conducting a Q&A session from a pop-up tent on campus when the incident occurred, sending thousands of spectators into a panic, according to a flurry of social media posts.
Mr Trump confirmed the 31-year-old’s death in a post on Truth Social.
“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead,” he wrote.
“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. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!”
Kirk, a father of two, was reportedly shot in the neck with images online of him sitting on stage apparently being hit. He was rushed to hospital in a “critical” condition following the shooting.
The gunman reportedly fired the shot from the university’s Losee Center with a long gun around 200 feet away (over 60 metres, from where he was speaking, the New York Post reports, citing sources.
Police earlier said a suspect was taken in custody.
However, a university spokesperson said the individual taken into custody has since been released, CBS reports.
Three sources told the outlet the suspect is still at large.
Before confirming his death, Mr Trump said Kirk was “not doing well”.
“It looks very bad,” he told the New York Post, adding he was feeling “not good” about the shooting.
“He was a very, very good friend of mine and he was a tremendous person.”
The university’s campus has been closed, with classes cancelled.
“Those on campus, secure in place until police officers can escort you safely off campus,” the university wrote on X.
“Police are currently going building to building escorting people off campus.”
‘ Must end now’
Utah Governor Spencer Cox said he is “heartbroken” by Kirk’s death, vowing the individual responsible will be brought to justice.
“I just got off the phone with President Trump. Working with the FBI and Utah law enforcement, we will bring to justice the individual responsible for this tragedy,” he wrote on X.
Vice President JD Vance paid tribute to his late friend on social media, writing: “Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord”.
Former US President Joe Biden condemned the shooting in a post on X.
“There is no place in our country for this kind of violence,” he wrote.
“It must end now. Jill and I are praying for Charlie Kirk’s family and loved ones.”
Mr Trump has ordered flags to be flown at half mast across the country.
“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.,” he wrote.
Kirk is married to former Miss Arizona, Erika Frantzve, with whom he shares a three-year-old daughter and a one-year-old son.
Question Kirk was reportedly answering when shot
Former Utah congressman Jason Chaffetz, who was at the event with his family, told Fox News that the shot came during the second question Kirk was answering about transgender shooters.
“He fell back to his left. Everybody hit the deck. Everybody was screaming, then everybody was running,” he said.
Mr Chaffetz added while Kirk had some security guards in front of where he was speaking, there were no security checks going in and the event had a light police presence.
He told the outlet he believed it was “no coincidence” Kirk was shot during the question about transgender mass shootings, adding that he realised “he may be criticized for that”.
Mr Chaffetz said he believed that Kirk was shot at close proximity from the front of the stage.
Talking to NBC News, Justin Hickens who was close to the stage said: “We heard a big loud shot, I saw a bunch of blood come out of Charlie.
“I saw his body kind of kick back and go limp, and everybody dropped to the ground”, Mr Hickens said.
‘Disgusting’ shooting
Before confirming his death, Mr Trump wrote on social media: “We must all pray for Charlie Kirk, who has been shot. A great guy from top to bottom. GOD BLESS HIM!”.
Vice President JD Vance had also offered a prayer to Kirk, sharing a photo of the two men together along with Donald Trump Jr. and political aide Andy Surabian, saying, “Dear God, protect Charlie in his darkest hour.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat who is on a different side of politics to Mr Kirk, said the shooting was “disgusting”.
“The attack on Charlie Kirk is disgusting, vile, and reprehensible. In the United States of America, we must reject political violence in EVERY form.”
FBI Director Kash Patel said the agency was “closely monitoring reports of the tragic shooting involving Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University.
“Our thoughts are with Charlie, his loved ones, and everyone affected.
“Agents will be on the scene quickly and the FBI stands in full support of the ongoing response and investigation.”
