Charlie Kirk has died after he was shot in the neck during an event at a Utah university.
Shots were fired at an event at Utah Valley University in Orem where the 31-year-old was speaking.
At 12:25 local time, a “single shot rang out in the quad near the food court on the Utah Valley University Orem Campus as Mr. Charlie Kirk began speaking at his planned rally,” Scott Trotter, senior director of Public Relations at Utah Valley University in Orem, told the BBC.
But Donald Trump has since confirmed that Kirk has died following his injuries.
In a post on Truth Social he wrote: “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. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!”
Kirk’s death has been confirmed by five sources to CBS as well.
Video footage circulating online shows the moment of the shooting. Kirk can be seen under a white ten emblazoned with the words “THE AMERICAN COMEBACK” and “PROVE ME WRONG”, surrounded by students.
A law enforcement source told CNN that there is no suspect currently in custody following the shooting, despite the university saying someone had been apprehended. A suspect had been taken into custody but was later released.
A follow up from the university said: “UVU campus is closed. Classes cancelled. Those on campus, secure in place until police officers can escort you safely off campus. We ask for your patience throughout this process. We are providing updates as best as possible. This is an ongoing and unfolding event.”
The shooter is believed to have fired with a long gun from a building 200 yards from the tent where Kirk was answering questions at Utah Valley University.
CNN reports that Kirk was answering a question about transgender mass shooters in America when he was shot.
A fervent Trump supporter, Kirk was best known for founding Turning Point USA which seeks to spread conservative ideas to students on US campuses. With millions of followers, he was one of the biggest conservative influencers in the US.