Charlie Kirk shooting | Latest developments

Описание: Conservative activist Charlie Kirk has died following a shooting at a speaking event in Utah. He was 31 years old.

President Donald Trump confirmed the news of the 31-year-old's death on Wednesday.

"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. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us.," the president said on Truth Social. "Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!"

Trump said he ordered flags at federal buildings to be flown at half-staff until Sunday evening at 6 p.m.

A university spokesperson told multiple outlets the suspected shooter has not been arrested, despite the school earlier saying there was someone in custody.

Kirk, who founded Turning Point USA, was shot Wednesday while at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. The popular conservative political activist and media personality was at his first stop since resuming his “American Comeback Tour.”

The event started just after noon and was open to the public. His presence caused controversy on the campus recently, with the school paper The UVU Review reporting some students opposed him speaking. 

Video from the event showed Kirk speaking into a handheld microphone while sitting under a white tent. A single shot rang out and the 31-year-old was seen reaching for his neck with his right hand as spectators gasped and screamed before running away.

Video confirmed by the Associated Press showed Kirk bleeding heavily from the apparent gunshot wound to the neck.

Kirk's appearance at the Utah university marked the kickoff of his national college tour. The conservative activist featured a "Prove Me Wrong Table" at his event where he would field questions from students, including those who disagreed with him.

He also had appearances slated for Colorado State University, the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Virginia Tech University, Utah State University, the University of North Dakota, Montana State University, Indiana University Louisiana State University and the University of Mississippi over the next two months.

The right-wing activist and media personality was most known for founding Turning Point USA, a group aimed at promoting conservative political positions on school campuses.

Kirk's outspoken support of Trump's policies made him a hero to some young Republicans and drew the ire of Democrats.

He had publicly promoted conspiracies, including falsely claiming the 2020 election was stolen from Trump and boosting unsubstantiated rumors that the COVID-19 pandemic originated in a Chinese lab.

Turning Point USA and its sister organizations, Turning Point Action, Turning Point Academy, Turning Point Faith and the Turning Point Endowment, were all partially founded by Kirk, who began his political rise in 2012 as an 18-year-old when he was scouted by Tea Party activist Bill Montgomery.

Kirk became the face of a young Republican movement, supporting grassroots efforts to bring new members into the party. 

Kirk is survived by his wife Erika Frantzve, a podcaster and businesswoman, and two children.

More information: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/nat...