Conservative activist Charlie Kirk shot dead at Utah Valley University; probe underway
Charlie Kirk, 31, conservative activist and Trump ally, was shot dead during a Utah Valley University event. Authorities are searching for the gunman. Tributes poured in from across the political spectrum as vigils were held and security fears escalated nationwide.
Washington: Conservative activist Charlie Kirk was killed by a single shot in a targeted attack during an outdoor event Wednesday at Utah Valley University, authorities said. Kirk co-founded the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA and was a close ally of President Donald Trump.
No one was in custody Wednesday evening as authorities seek a new person of interest in the assassination, according to a law enforcement official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing investigation. The Utah Department of Public Safety also confirmed no one was in custody in the investigation into Kirk’s killing.
“This is a dark day for our state. It’s a tragic day for our nation,” said Utah Gov. Spencer Cox. “I want to be very clear this is a political assassination.”
The shooting comes amid a spike in attacks on political figures in the United States across all parts of the ideological spectrum.
At least 200 people attend Scottsdale, Arizona, vigil to honor KirkWith moderate winds picking up at times, people clutched candles that wouldn’t stay lit and little U.S. flags while reciting Catholic prayers and singing verses.
The Rev. Daniel Cruz led a rosary. John Yep, president and CEO of Catholics for Catholics and a friend of Kirk’s, was the only other speaker at the vigil, which was also livestreamed. He shared how he sent Kirk a text after learning of his passing today.
“I want you to know we’re gonna honor your blood, your sacrifice and your tears,” Yep said, summarizing his text. “Your little tiny kids are gonna know that when their dad was taken from this Earth, that we came here and prayed.”
Scottsdale, where Kirk has a home, is a suburb of Phoenix, where Kirk’s Turning Point organization has its headquarters. People gather outside hospital where Kirk was pronounced dead. The crowd outside Timpanogos Regional Hospital lined the road, holding American flags as passing cars honked.
Visitors placed lit candles, bouquets of flowers and small American flags in front of a large hospital sign. As the sun set in Utah, some attendees read Bible passages, while others spoke about continuing the work that Kirk had begun. Kirk event attendee describes scattered belongings in wake of shooting.
