Charlie Kirk, a close associate of U.S. President Donald Trump and the founder of the right-wing organization Turning Point USA, was shot and killed at the age of 31 during a university event in Utah on the 10th (local time), according to reports from the Associated Press and others.
President Trump mourned Kirk's death on his social media platform Truth Social, stating, "The great and legendary Charlie Kirk has passed away."
He continued, "No one understood the hearts of America's youth better than Charlie. He was loved and respected by everyone, especially me, but now he is no longer with us. Melania and I extend our condolences to his beautiful wife Erika and his family."
President Trump ordered flags to be flown at half-staff across the United States until 6 p.m. on the 14th in honor of Kirk.
Kirk was shot while speaking about mass shootings and gun violence during a debate hosted by his organization at Utah Valley University in Utah that day.
At the age of 18 in 2012, Kirk co-founded Turning Point USA with William Montgomery, a Tea Party activist, and has since supported President Trump and worked to engage younger generations.
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