Trump announces Charlie Kirk's death after Utah shooting [VIDEO]

Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist and close ally of President Donald Trump, died after being shot during a speaking engagement at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. He was 31 years old.

Kirk was speaking to kids as part of his American Comeback Tour when a single gunshot rang out at 12:20 p.m. local time.

A video circulating online shows him seated under a white gazebo, answering a question on mass shootings, when he was shot in the neck.

He collapsed quickly as blood appeared on his shirt.

The audience yelled in terror, fleeing for safety as security rushed to his help.

Police later verified that a suspect is in custody and that the shot was fired from around 200 yards distant (182 meters).

The campus was placed on lockdown and subsequently closed for the rest of the day. Authorities have not released details about the shooter or a possible motive.

 

For several hours, Kirk was reported to be in critical condition.

Late Wednesday night, however, President Donald Trump announced his death in a statement that hailed Kirk as a tireless voice for America’s youth.

“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!” — Donald Trump, US President.

Kirk, the founder of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA, was one of Trump’s most outspoken defenders and a fixture on the Republican campaign trail.

His death is a major blow to the conservative movement, where he was seen as a rising star with a strong following among young voters.

Law enforcement officials have promised further updates as investigations continue.

For now, questions remain over the identity of the suspect, the motive for the shooting, and how such an attack could unfold in broad daylight at a university campus.