Donald Trump said he thinks with a “high degree of certainty” that a suspect in the shooting of Charlie Kirk is now in custody.
The influential conservative activist was shot while speaking at an event held at the Utah Valley University (UVU).
At the time of the shooting, at approximately 12.20pm local time, he was sitting under a white gazebo addressing a crowd of about 3,000 people.
Mr Kirk was rushed to hospital in a private vehicle. His death was later confirmed by US President Donald Trump.
He wrote on his social media platform Truth Social: “The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. 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. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!”
About an hour later, the US President announced: “In honor of Charlie Kirk, a truly Great American Patriot, I am ordering all American Flags throughout the United States lowered to Half Mast until Sunday evening at 6 P.M.”
His tributes were followed by those of other high-profile US personalities and celebrities, including Vice President JD Vance. In a post on X, he called Mr Kirk a “true friend” and a “great family man”.
Former US President Joe Biden said he and his wife Dr Jill Biden were praying for Mr Kirk’s family and loved ones, adding there is “no place” in the US for this violence.
In the UK, the sister of murdered British Labour Jo Cox described the death of Mr Kirk as “devastating”. Kim Leadbeater said: “Whatever our political views and differences, there is no place for violence in our politics. Tonight two children have lost their Dad. Devastating. We need a global reset on what we want our politics to look like.”
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