A single shot, a moment of horror, and the conservative world stands still. Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA and close ally of President Donald Trump, was shot dead Wednesday at an event at Utah Valley University. The incident, described by Utah Governor Spencer Cox as a “political assassination,” has shaken the United States.

A targeted attack

According to the Associated Press, Kirk was sitting under a white tent labeled “The American Comeback” when a shot was fired from a nearby building. Eyewitnesses describe how Kirk grabbed his throat as blood poured from the wound. Police confirmed that the shooter fired from a roof of the Losee Center – a targeted attack that cost Kirk his life.

Political waves are running high

Donald Trump, who shared the news on his Truth Social platform, called Kirk a “legend” and a “martyr for truth and freedom.” Other political heavyweights such as Barack Obama and Gavin Newsom also strongly condemned the act.

“This kind of violence has no place in our democracy,” Obama wrote on X.

A life dedicated to youth

Kirk, who founded Turning Point USA in 2012, was known for his provocative “Prove Me Wrong” debates, in which he challenged left-wing students. His events regularly attracted thousands, as was the case on Wednesday, when around 3,000 people were in attendance. Kirk is survived by his wife and two young children.

The hunt for the perpetrator

The investigation is in full swing. According to CNN and CBS News, a suspect was initially arrested but later released. The shooter remains at large as police search intensively for clues. Governor Cox promised to bring the perpetrator to justice: “We have the death penalty in Utah.”

A symbol of division

Kirk’s murder is the latest in a series of politically motivated acts of violence in the US. From the attack on Paul Pelosi to the shooting of Steve Scalise, political rhetoric seems to be escalating into violence with increasing frequency. Kirk himself was a polarizing figure known for his sharp attacks on the political left.

Credits: APA