In what Utah Gov. Spencer Cox called a "political assassination", Charlie Kirk, the ultra-conservative political activist and media personality credited by the Donald Trump administration for bringing in young voters and political enthusiasts to the Republican Party, was shot and killed at a rally at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah Wednesday afternoon. He was 31 years old.
The incident occurred around 3:30 p.m. Eastern time (1:30 local). UPDATE: At 6:25 p.m. Eastern, FBI Director Kash Patel reported "a subject" was in custody as a person of interest.
Videos from the site and social media posts showed Kirk sitting under a white tent, interacting with a crowd — ironically, answering a question about gun violence. Ten minutes into his appearance, a shot from distance rang out and struck him in the neck and he began bleeding profusely, authorities and witnesses on scene have reported, who also noted a man hunt is under way to find the shooter. Kirk's private security detail carried him into a vehicle and took him to a local hospital.
President Trump confirmed Kirk's passing about 90 minutes later on Truth Social.
"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," his post said. "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!"
Later, Trump posted that he's ordered all American Flags throughout the United States lowered to half mast until Sunday evening in Kirk's honor.
Kirk was the co-founder of Turning Point USA, an advocacy group for conservative politics on high school and college campuses, and is being called an, "Up and comer in the MAGA movement." He started working with Arizona-based Turning Point at age 18.
Bi-partisan condemnation of Kirk's murder has rang in from all political sides — conservative, liberal and moderates alike, including from Democrats like Rep. Darren Soto, former Presidents Barrack Obama and Joe Biden, and California Gov. Gavin Newsom. The House of Representatives observed a moment of silence on the House floor Wednesday.
Kirk is survived by his wife, former Miss Arizona USA and podcaster Erika Frantzve, and two children ages 1 and 3.
Details continue to come in on this story. Check back at AroundOsceola.com for more.
