President Trump has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff until September 14 to honor an ally who was shot dead.
On September 10, Charlie Kirk — a close ally of U.S. President Donald Trump and founder of the conservative nonprofit organization Turning Point — was fatally shot while speaking at an event on the campus of Utah Valley University (Orem, Utah), according to The New York Times. Kirk was only 31 years old.
Videos capturing the incident show Kirk addressing a crowd of about 3,000 people outdoors during a debate titled “Prove Me Wrong.” As he was speaking and inviting students to challenge his political and cultural views, a gunshot rang out and blood spurted from his neck.
Ellen Treanor, spokesperson for Utah Valley University, said that Kirk was shot about 20 minutes after he began speaking on campus. According to Treanor, the shooter fired at Kirk from the Losee Center — a building more than 90 meters away.
Authorities are still searching for the gunman and conducting an investigation. Four agencies are involved: the Orem Police Department, the Utah Valley University Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Utah Department of Public Safety. The campus has since been closed, and classes have been suspended.
On social media, President Trump expressed his grief over Kirk’s death, writing that the “great, even legendary, Charlie Kirk has passed away.” According to Trump, Kirk was loved and admired by everyone, especially by himself.
President Trump also ordered flags across the United States to be flown at half-staff until 6 p.m. on September 14 in memory of Kirk.
Many Democrats and Republicans have condemned the shooting, both on social media and in Congress. In a post, California Governor Gavin Newsom — a Democrat — called the attack “disgusting, vile, and reprehensible.”
Former President Barack Obama also wrote on social media: “We still don’t know the motive of the person who shot and killed Charlie Kirk, but this kind of despicable violence has no place in our democracy.”