Charlie Kirk, the CEO and co-founder of the conservative youth organisation Turning Point USA, has died after being shot at an event at a Utah college, United States President Donald Trump announced on social media. He was 31.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead,\u201d he wrote in a post on Truth Social.<\/p>\n
Video of the incident circulating on social media showed Kirk addressing a large outdoor crowd when a loud crack that sounded like a gunshot rang out. Kirk can be seen briefly moving his hand to his neck as he falls off his chair, sending the attendees running.<\/p>\n
He was brought to the hospital in critical condition. Trump\u2019s announcement on social media has not yet been confirmed by media.<\/p>\n
Orem, Utah, Mayor David Young said the suspect in the shooting remains at large. Authorities are not telling people to shelter in place, however. A person who was taken into custody shortly after the shooting was not the suspect, according to a person familiar with the investigation who was not authorised to speak publicly.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe currently don\u2019t have a suspect in custody. This is an ongoing investigation,\u201d Ellen Treanor, a spokesperson for Utah Valley University, told AFP.<\/p>\n
FBI Director Kash Patel said agents would be on the scene quickly.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are closely monitoring reports of the tragic shooting involving Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University,\u201d Patel said on X shortly after the shooting. \u201cOur thoughts are with Charlie, his loved ones, and everyone affected.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kirk was speaking at a debate hosted by his nonprofit political organisation. The event had divided opinions on campus. An online petition calling for university administrators to bar Kirk from appearing received nearly 1,000 signatures.<\/p>\n
The university issued a statement last week citing First Amendment rights and affirming its \u201ccommitment to free speech, intellectual inquiry, and constructive dialogue\u201d.<\/p>\n
Spike in political violence<\/p>\n
Kirk played a key role in driving youth support for President Trump in November. His events at college campuses nationwide typically draw large crowds.<\/p>\n
Former Utah Congressman Jason Chaffetz, a Republican who was at the event, said in an interview on Fox News Channel that he heard one shot and saw Kirk go back.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt seemed like it was a close shot,\u201d Chaffetz said, who seemed shaken as he spoke.<\/p>\n
He said there was a light police presence at the event, and Kirk had some security, but not enough.<\/p>\n
\u201cUtah is one of the safest places on the planet,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd so, we just don\u2019t have these types of things.\u201d<\/p>\n
The shooting comes amid a spike in political violence in the US across all parts of the ideological spectrum.<\/p>\n
The attacks include the assassination of a Minnesota state lawmaker<\/a> and her husband at their house in June, the firebombing<\/a> of a Colorado rally for Israeli captives in Gaza, and an arson<\/a> attack in April on the Pennsylvania governor\u2019s home.<\/p>\n