American right-wing debater Charlie Kirk has been shot dead during an event at a university in Utah.
Donald Trump confirms this.
“The great, even legendary, Charlie Kirk is dead,” the president writes on Truth Social.
Here, right-wing debater Charlie Kirk is shot to death on stage
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American right-wing debater and opinion leader Charlie Kirk has been shot dead during a debate at Utah Valley State University.
President Donald Trump confirms this in a post on Truth Social:
"The great, even legendary, Charlie Kirk is dead. No one understood or was as loved by the youth of the United States as Charlie. He was loved and admired by EVERYONE, especially me, and now he is no longer with us. Melania and I send our condolences to his beautiful wife Erika and family. Charlie, we love you!"
Charlie Kirk was 31 years old. He was married to Erika Frantzve, and together they have two children.
Video clip of the attack is being circulated
Footage from the incident shows Kirk being hit by a gunshot and collapsing on stage. The audience then begins to disperse in panic.
According to CNN, the shot was fired from a university building about 200 meters away.
In a clip published by CNN, Kirk is heard asking a question about shootings in the US just before the shot is fired.
University denies – no arrests
No perpetrator has yet been arrested, says a spokesperson for the university, while also rejecting a statement the university gave earlier.
"The perpetrator has not been arrested. Police are still investigating the matter and the campus is closed," spokesman Scott Trotter said in a statement.
A university representative tells Fox News that the person previously detained is not the shooter.
FBI Director Kash Patel writes that the FBI has sent reinforcements to the university.
"Our thoughts are with Charlie, his loved ones, and everyone else affected. Agents are quickly arriving on the scene and the FBI fully supports the ongoing work and investigation," he writes in a post on X.
Well-known right-wing debater
Charlie Kirk was a well-known right-wing debater and co-founder of the political organization “Turning Point USA,” which advocates conservative politics at universities around the country.
He has made a name for himself by traveling around and debating with students on campuses across the United States. Kirk also hosts his own podcast, “The Charlie Kirk Show.”
He was a big Trump supporter, and the president himself has said that Charlie Kirk was important in mobilizing young voters during the 2024 election campaign.
"Charlie Kirk will say that TikTok helped, but Charlie Kirk helped too," Trump said after winning the election.
