Washington/Orem, September 11 (HS): Conservative activist Charlie Kirk, a close ally of President Donald Trump and founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed on Wednesday during an outdoor event at Utah Valley University (UVU). The shooting occurred during Kirk’s The American Comeback Tour event, which attracts large crowds of students for open political debates.

At the time of the shooting, more than 3,000 people were gathered as Kirk was speaking under a white tent with banners reading Prove Me Wrong. Witnesses described a chaotic scene after what officials believe was a single gunshot fired from a roof approximately 150 yards from Kirk’s location. In a video reviewed by BBC Verify, Kirk was seen touching his neck after the shot before collapsing from his chair as blood flowed from the left side of his neck. Attendees screamed and fled in panic.

In a video message posted on Truth Social, President Trump called Kirk’s death “a dark moment for America,” describing it as a “heinous assassination.” Trump praised Kirk as “great, and even legendary,” saying no one understood or had the heart of the youth in America better than him. He expressed grief and anger and called Kirk a “patriot” devoted to free debate. Trump extended sympathies to Kirk’s wife Erika and their children, stating, “Charlie was also a man of deep, deep faith… now at peace with God in heaven.” He ordered American flags to be flown at half-staff until Sunday in his honor.

FBI Director Kash Patel announced a previously detained subject related to the investigation had been released after questioning, and that the investigation was ongoing. Utah Governor Spencer Cox described the killing as a “political assassination.” Police confirmed that the shooter was dressed in dark clothing and fired from a rooftop near the scene.

The university has closed its campus through September 14 in the wake of the tragedy, suspending all classes and events. Students and witnesses described the trauma of witnessing the shooting, with some noting lax security at the event. Multiple officials emphasized that political violence must stop.

The killing has elicited widespread condemnation from American and international leaders. Former US Presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama issued statements mourning Kirk’s death and calling for national civility. President Joe Biden condemned this kind of despicable violence, calling for an end to political violence.

International leaders expressed condolences, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer who said, “We must all be free to debate openly and freely without fear,” and Italy’s Giorgia Meloni calling it “a deep wound for democracy.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Kirk as a “lion-hearted friend of Israel,” who stood for Judeo-Christian civilization. Argentina’s President Javier Milei called Kirk a “formidable disseminator of the ideas of freedom.”

Top US lawmakers from both parties, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, strongly denounced the violence and urged the nation to reject political hatred. Kirk’s close friend Senator Mike Lee lamented the loss of a “dear friend” who had inspired many.

Kirk was 31 years old and left behind his wife and two young children. He had founded Turning Point USA at age 18 to promote conservative views among American youth, and he was a prominent figure in energizing support for Trump and conservative causes on college campuses nationwide.

The investigation is ongoing as law enforcement continues to search for the shooter, urging the public for any information. Meanwhile, the nation faces renewed calls to confront rising political violence amid deepening partisan tensions.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar