Trump confirms activist Charlie Kirk has died
Activist Charlie Kirk (Photo: Flickr by Gage Skidmore)
US President Donald Trump has confirmed the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was attacked during a debate in the state of Utah, according to Trump’s post on the social network 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,” wrote the head of the White House.
Trump and his wife, Melania, expressed their condolences to his wife, Erica, and the family.
“Charlie, we love you!” the president added.
Following the activist’s death, Trump ordered all US flags to be flown at half-staff nationwide until 6:00 PM on Sunday, September 14.
According to Utah Valley University spokesperson Scott Trotter, police determined that the person detained after the shooting was not actually the shooter, The New York Times reports.
Earlier, the university had stated that the suspect was in custody.
Attempted assassination of Charlie Kirk
On September 10, Charlie Kirk was participating in a debate at Utah Valley University when he was shot during his speech. The wounded activist was hospitalized, and people were evacuated from the campus.
According to unofficial reports, the shooter attacked a neighboring building about 20 minutes after Kirk’s speech began.
The media reported both that the activist had died and that he was alive but in critical condition.
