Conservative activist Charlie Kirk shot dead, perpetrator on the run

Charlie Kirk (31), an influential US conservative and close ally of President Donald Trump, was shot dead on Wednesday during an appearance at Utah Valley University in Orem. The state governor described the act as a political assassination. Around 3,000 people attended the event.

According to police, the shot came from a distance, presumably from the roof of the campus. The shooter has not yet been apprehended. Two men who were briefly detained were released after questioning. The manhunt continues.

In a video message, Trump promised that his administration would find the perpetrator and ordered all US flags to be flown at half-mast until Sunday. Both Democratic and Republican politicians condemned the act as unacceptable political violence.

The incident is one of a series of attacks on US politicians, including two assassination attempts on Trump in 2024. According to the Reuters news agency, the US is currently experiencing its worst wave of political violence since the 1970s.

Kirk was co-founder of the organization Turning Point USA, which mobilized young voters for Trump. He had more than 5 million followers on X and hosted the popular podcast The Charlie Kirk Show.

(reuters, est)