Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative activist and close ally of President Donald Trump, was shot and killed Wednesday at Utah Valley University in Orem during his “American Comeback Tour” event.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox called the incident a “political assassination”.
The 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA was killed by a single gunshot fired from a distant rooftop. The shooting occurred in front of more than 3,000 attendees, and the shooter remains at large.
Two individuals were initially detained but later released after authorities determined they had no connection to the shooting.
Video footage shows Kirk answering questions about gun violence when a shot rang out, causing blood to gush from his neck.
The university has been closed until Monday as federal, state, and local authorities continue their manhunt for the unidentified shooter.
President Trump called Kirk a “martyr for truth and freedom” and ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff.
