Right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk shot dead in the US

  American right-wing political activist and commentator Charlie Kirk (31) was shot and killed. The incident occurred at an event held on a university campus in Orem, Utah, on Wednesday (September 10). 
A video circulating on social media shows that gunshots suddenly rang out while he was giving a speech. Kirk immediately fell into a chair with his hands on his throat. Then thousands of people present ran and dispersed. Another video shows blood flowing from his throat. Utah Governor Spencer Cox said at a press conference, “This is a political assassination. Today is a dark day for our state, a tragedy for the nation.”

Cox said a suspect was in police custody. However, Utah’s public safety commissioner said the attacker was still at large. US President Donald Trump wrote on social media, “The great and legendary Charlie Kirk is no more. No one understood the hearts of young people like him. Everyone loved him, especially me. Now he is no more.’

Trump announced that the national flag will be flown at half-mast across the United States until Sunday in memory of Charlie Kirk. Police believe that shots were fired from the roof of a university building. About 3,000 people were present at the event at that time. It is also initially believed that a sniper weapon may have been used to target Kirk.

Charlie Kirk was the co-founder of Turning Point USA, the largest conservative youth organization in the United States. He played an important role in motivating young voters in Trump’s election campaign. His number of followers on the social media platform ‘X’ was more than 5.3 million.

Political violence has increased in the United States in recent years. Last year alone, two assassination attempts were made on Trump. Leaders of both the Democratic and Republican parties expressed deep grief and anger over the murder of Charlie Kirk.