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Charlie Kirk has reportedly died after being shot at Utah Valley University.
The right-wing political activist, 31, was hosting the event in Orem, just north of Provo, when he was shot at. NBC News has reported that the shooter opened fire from the university's Losee Center, about 200 feet away from where Kirk was speaking. Trump confirmed his demise in a post on his Truth Social platform:
"The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead," Trump wrote. "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," Trump added. "Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!"
Everything we know about Charlie Kirk's shooting and ultimate demise:
Per Reuters, a spokesperson for the university has confirmed that they didn't arrest anyone as of yet, despite an initial report from the school stating otherwise. In videos circulating online, Charlie Kirk can be seen addressing a large swarm on the campus when the sound of gunfire cuts through the atmosphere. He raised his hand to his neck as he fell of his chair, indicating that he had been shot.
In other videos, a splatter of blood can be seen gushing from his neck right after he was shot. As of this writing, the videos have yet to be authenticated. Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed on social media that the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives were all at the scene of the crime.
CNBC has reported that students allegedly saw an older man being taken into custody, though further details about the same remain unclear. UVU has since closed off its campus and cancelled all classes as it instructed those on campus to
“secure in place until police officers can escort you safely off campus.”
Charlie Kirk, who now leaves behind his wife and two kids, had been rushed to a hospital nearby. There were no updates until Trump confirmed his demise. He was known for serving as the co-founder of Turning Point USA, as well as the head of several related political organizations.
He was reportedly in town on Wednesday as the first stop of Turning Point’s “American Comeback Tour,” per its official website. Jason Chaffetz, a former Republican congressman, spoke to Fox News, noting that he was present at the scene.
Charlie Kirk was reportedly responding to a question about “transgender shootings, mass shootings," when the incident took place.
“As soon as this shot rang out, everybody hit the deck, and then everybody started scattering and yelling and screaming, as you might imagine,” Chaffetz said. “I can’t say I saw blood. I can’t say I saw him get shot, but as soon as that shot went out, he fell back into his left and everybody hit the deck.”
Charlie Kirk's wife, Erika Kirk, put out a tweet of a Bible verse shortly after her husband was injured:
“Psalm 46:1 - God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble,” Erika Kirk wrote.
Stay tuned to SoapCentral for more.
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