American conservative activist and creator Charlie Kirk has died after being shot as he spoke to students in Utah. He was 31.
The shooting happened at Utah Valley University at roughly 12:20 p.m. local time, Kirk was speaking on the campus as a part of his American Comeback Tour. He is survived by his wife Erika and their two children.
Turning Point USA announced Kirk’s death with “a heavy heart”.
“May he be received into the merciful arms of our loving Savior, who suffered and died for Charlie,” the organisation said in an announcement.
“We ask that everybody keep his family and family members in your prayers.
“We ask that you just please respect their privacy and dignity at the moment.”
Kirk, a committed Christian, was just 18 when he founded Turning Point USA in 2012 to advertise conservative values amongst university students. It grew to have a presence on over 3,500 highschool and college campuses nationwide, and over 250,000 student members.
Kirk and the movement he founded became a pivotal source of support for US President Donald Trump during his election campaigns.
Trump was among the many first to pay his respects, saying in an announcement: “The great, and even legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead.
“No one understood or had the center of the youth within the United States of America higher than Charlie.
“He was loved and admired by all, especially me, and now, he is not any longer with us.
“Melania and my sympathies exit to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!”
The President has ordered flags to be flown at half mast within the US.
Vice President JD Vance, who was friends with Kirk, posted on social media: “Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.”
Christian leaders are mourning the lack of a strong spokesman for Christian conservative values.
American evangelist Franklin Graham has asked people to hope for Kirk’s family.
“What a tragedy,” he said.
“This young man loved his country and invested his time and energy in attempting to make it the most effective it might be.
“He stood boldly for conservative values and defended free speech for all of us. Most importantly, Charlie loved the Lord Jesus Christ.
“Pray for his wife Erika, their two young children, and all of their family. It’s in these moments of darkness that we’d like to face on the Scripture that Erika shared on social media, ‘God is our refuge and strength, a really present assist in trouble’ (Psalm 46:1).”
Harvest pastor Greg Laurie called his death “an incredible loss”.
“Charlie was such a courageous young man. He was not only a daring and unwavering voice for biblical truth in our culture, but in addition a faithful follower of Jesus Christ, a husband, and a family man. He will likely be deeply missed.
“As shocking as this news is, we will take comfort in knowing that Charlie is now in Heaven. The moment he took his last breath here on earth, he took his first breath within the presence of the Lord.
“That is the hope we hold on to as believers—everlasting life through faith in Jesus Christ. Please join me in praying for Charlie’s wife and youngsters during this unimaginable time. May the God of all comfort surround them with peace and strength.”
Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro said he was “utterly stunned and heartbroken and sick to my soul” over Kirk’s death.
He paid tribute to him as a “principled man” who stood up for his beliefs and created “the one most significant conservative political organization in America”.
“But more importantly, Charlie was a very good man, a person who believed in right and flawed, who stood by his Biblical values,” said Shapiro.
“All of us will miss him, and I can’t imagine the pain of his beautiful young family, and we must all pray for them.
“And we must pick up the baton where Charlie left it, fighting for the things he believed in so passionately.
“And we must fight for a greater America – an America where good people can speak truth and debate passionately without fear of a bullet. I weep for Charlie’s family, and I weep for my country today. Most of all, I weep for Charlie.”
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