Conservative Leader Charlie Kirk Killed In Utah Shooting; Rifle Recovered In Probe

News In Short:

Conservative activist Charlie Kirk, 31, was shot dead while speaking at Utah Valley University. Investigators recovered a bolt-action rifle believed to be the murder weapon but the shooter remains at large. The attack, caught on video, sparked nationwide outrage. Leaders across the political spectrum condemned the killing, with Trump calling it a “heinous assassination” and vowing justice.

News in Detail: Charlie Kirk

Charlie Kirk, a well-known conservative activist and ally of former President Donald Trump, was shot and killed during an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. Authorities described the attack as a “political assassination.”

Police said Kirk was struck by a single bullet fired from a nearby rooftop while he was speaking under a campus tent. Panic spread as students and attendees screamed and ran for safety. The shooter escaped, and police are still searching for the suspect.

U.S. investigators said Thursday they had recovered the rifle believed to have been used in the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, though the gunman remains at large.

Kirk, 31, was shot on Wednesday while speaking at a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University in Orem. Authorities said a single bullet struck him in the neck as he answered a question on gun violence before a crowd of about 3,000 people.

Attack Caught on Video Charlie Kirk

Videos circulating online show the moment the shot rang out, sparking chaos as people screamed and ran for cover. Officials said security cameras recorded the shooter climbing a stairwell to a rooftop before firing. The suspect, described as college-aged, escaped into a nearby neighborhood.

Investigators later discovered a bolt-action rifle abandoned in a wooded area along with palm prints and footprints. Authorities are analyzing the evidence but have not released the suspect’s identity.

Political and National Reactions Charlie Kirk

Utah Governor Spencer Cox condemned the killing, calling it a direct attack on America’s tradition of free political debate.

Former President Donald Trump labeled the shooting a “heinous assassination,” announced that Kirk would receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and vowed to track down those responsible. Vice President JD Vance canceled a planned trip and will travel to Utah to meet Kirk’s family.

Tributes poured in from both political parties and abroad. Supporters praised Kirk’s role in building conservative youth movements, while critics also expressed shock at the violence.

A Life in Politics

Kirk co-founded Turning Point USA as a teenager and rose to national prominence as a strong supporter of Trump. He was known for fiery debates on topics like race, immigration, and gun rights. Married with two young children, Kirk had recently returned from a speaking tour in Asia and was launching his “American Comeback Tour.”

Broader Concerns About Political Violence

The assassination comes amid a rise in politically motivated attacks in the United States. Officials noted that more than 300 incidents have occurred since 2021, including assassination attempts on Trump himself.

Trump warned in a video message that escalating rhetoric and hostility in U.S. politics are fueling violence: “This must stop right now.”

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