Kirk, a 31-year-old influential ally of President Donald Trump, was fatally shot on Wednesday while speaking at a university in Utah<\/strong>, triggering a manhunt for a lone sniper who the governor said had carried out a \u201cpolitical assassination\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Authorities said they still had no suspect in custody as of Wednesday night<\/strong>, about eight hours after the midday shooting at Utah Valley University campus in Orem during an event attended by 3,000 people.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n On Wednesday night, the campus of Utah Valley University (UVU) in Orem remained on lockdown<\/strong>, with traffic cones and flashing police cars blocking every entrance. At the nearby Timpanogos regional hospital, where Kirk was taken after the shooting and pronounced dead, roughly a dozen people held a vigil \u2013 one of several that took place that evening across the region \u2013 at the hospital\u2019s entrance.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n The lone perpetrator suspected of firing the single gunshot that killed Kirk remained \u201cat large\u201d<\/strong>, said the Utah Department of Public Safety\u2019s commissioner, Beau Mason. The shot apparently came from a distant rooftop on campus.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Two men were detained and one was interrogated by law enforcement but both were subsequently released<\/strong>, state police said on Wednesday night.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Donald Trump blamed \u201cthe radical left\u201d for the shooting and promised a crackdown<\/strong>, saying its \u201crhetoric is directly responsible for the terrorism that we\u2019re seeing in our country today and it must stop right now\u201d. In his address from the Oval Office<\/a> Trump also provided a list of incidents of what he termed \u201cradical left political violence\u201d while not including violence against Democrats<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Cellphone video clips of Kirk\u2019s killing posted online showed him addressing a large outdoor crowd on the campus<\/strong>, about 40 miles (64 km) south of Salt Lake City, about 12.20pm local time when a gunshot rang out. Kirk moved his hand towards his neck as he fell off his chair, sending onlookers running.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Utah\u2019s Republican governor, Spencer Cox, said: \u201cThis is a dark day for our state<\/strong>, it\u2019s a tragic day for our nation. I want to be very clear that this is a political assassination.\u201d With the suspect still at large, there was no clear evidence of motive for the shooting, he said.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Trump ordered all government US flags to be flown at half-staff until Sunday<\/strong> in Kirk\u2019s honour.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n In Washington, an attempt to observe a moment of silence for Kirk on the floor of the US House of Representatives degenerated into shouting<\/strong> between Democrats and Republicans.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Kirk\u2019s appearance on Wednesday was the first in a planned 15-event \u201cAmerican Comeback Tour\u201d<\/strong> at universities around the country, where he would typically invite attendees to debate him live.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Nancy Pelosi, Gabrielle Giffords, Steve Scalise, Josh Shapiro, Gretchen Whitmer and Robert F Kennedy Jr \u2013 all US public figures who have experienced political violence themselves \u2013 paid their respects and condemned the shooting. <\/strong>Globally, leaders including the Canadian prime minister Mark Carney and UK prime minister Keir Starmer shared messages of condmenation at political violence.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani paid his respects to Charlie Kirk and condemned gun violence in the United States. <\/strong>In a video shared on X of Mamdani speaking at the annual Jews for Economic and Racial Justice (JFREJ) fundraiser, he took a moment to first address the news of the shooting and to speak more widely about the \u201cplague\u201d of gun violence in the country.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Utah Valley University has informed students, faculty and staff that its campuses will be closed for the rest of the week, and all classes and campus events will be suspended until next Monday. <\/strong>The school\u2019s leaders said they are \u201cshocked and saddened by the tragic passing of Charlie Kirk, a guest to our campus\u201d and \u201cgrieve with our students, faculty, and staff who bore witness to this unspeakable tragedy\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Key events<\/p>\n Show key events only<\/p>\n Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature<\/p>\n Charlie Kirk directed most of his rhetoric at the US political scene, but he also strayed into foreign affairs, drawing both favourable and critical comparisons between life in the US and in other countries on his shows and doing the occasional speaking tour.<\/strong><\/p>\n In May, Kirk visited the UK, debating students at Oxford and Cambridge universities and appearing on the conservative GB News channel. Days before he was fatally shot<\/a> in Utah he took his message to relatively new audiences on a tour to South Korea and Japan.<\/p>\n Last weekend he addressed likeminded politicians and activists at a symposium in Tokyo organised by Sanseito, a rightwing populist party that shook up the political establishment<\/a> in upper house elections this summer.<\/p>\n In Tokyo, Kirk described Sanseito, which ran in July\u2019s elections on a \u201cJapanese first\u201d platform, as \u201call about kicking foreigners out of Japan\u201d, where the foreign population<\/a> has risen to about 3.8 million out of a total of 124 million.<\/p>\n Foreign residents and supporters of mass migration were, he claimed, \u201cvery quietly and secretly funnelling themselves into Japanese life. They want to erase, replace and eradicate Japan<\/a> by bringing in Indonesians, by bringing in Arabs, by bringing in Muslims\u201d.<\/p>\n He spoke at length about his trip in a podcast released the day before his death, returning to a familiar theme \u2013 criticising women who choose not to have children \u2013 that echoed the views of his host in Japan, the Sanseito leader, Sohei Kamiya.<\/p>\n In Seoul, he addressed more than 2,000 supporters at the Build Up Korea 2025 event, which drew predominantly young Christians and students from evangelical schools, representing a self-styled Korean Maga movement that has rallied around the \u201cYoon Again\u201d slogan, in support of the impeached former president Yoon Suk Yeol<\/a>.<\/p>\n At the event in Seoul, Kirk promoted conspiracy theories, including claims that China had orchestrated \u201cstolen elections\u201d in both the US and South Korea, that Lee Jae-myung\u2019s recent presidential election victory<\/a> had been fraudulent, and that the current government was persecuting churches and suppressing \u201cpatriotic citizens\u201d.<\/p>\n Kirk said he had \u201clearned a lot\u201d from his time in South Korea<\/a> and Japan, recalling how safe he had felt on the clean and orderly streets of Seoul, where there were \u201cno bums, no one asking you for money\u201d.<\/p>\n In his three-day UK visit in May, he clashed with students at the Cambridge Union<\/a> debating society, arguing that \u201clockdowns were unnecessary\u201d, \u201clife begins at conception\u201d, and the US Civil Rights Act was a \u201cmistake\u201d.<\/p>\n Share<\/a> The British offshoot of Charlie Kirk\u2019s Turning Point UK has failed to match the success of its US equivalent in terms of mobilising right-wing support among students, morphing from a campus-focus to street protests.<\/strong><\/p>\n Kirk flew to London in 2019 for its launch at a prestigious London social club and Conservative MPs including Jacob Rees-Mogg and Priti Patel were among those who praised its work. It claimed to have as many as \u2018eight chapters\u2019 in UK universities.<\/p>\n However, that support from influential British right-wings melted away and the group has been in the process of reinventing itself as a street protest movement, according to anti-extremism campaign group Hope not Hate.<\/p>\n Its recent activity is some way from the promise of Turning Point UK\u2019s earlier incarnation, when it was chaired by George Farmer, a Conservative donor who is the son of a Tory peer and husband of the US right-wing commentator Candace Owens<\/p>\n But even then, the emergence of the group in Britain was described by the Labour MP, David Lammy, now Britain\u2019s deputy prime minister, as evidence \u201cthat sinister forces are taking hold of our country\u201d an that the Conservative Party \u201copen promotes hard right, xenophobic bile.\u201d<\/p>\n At its 2019 launch, Owens reportedly declared \u201cwe very much believe that we are in the midst of World War three,\u201d while Kirk spoke of taking he \u201csuccess story of what we\u2019ve done in America\u201d and applying it to the \u201cdefence all throughout Europe.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n We have a graphic which shows the Utah Valley university campus, where Charlie Kirk was killed in a shooting yesterday.<\/strong><\/p>\n The Google Earth view shows the potential escape route on an elevated walkway.<\/p>\n Graphic showing Utah Valley university campus and location of Charlie Kirk murder.<\/a>Graphic showing Utah Valley university campus and location of Charlie Kirk murder.Share<\/a><\/p>\n World leaders, especially those on the far-right of politics, have issued statements on the killing of Charlie Kirk in Utah on Wednesday.<\/strong><\/p>\n The Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu<\/strong> said:<\/p>\n Charlie Kirk was murdered for speaking truth and defending freedom. A lion-hearted friend of Israel, he fought the lies and stood tall for Judeo-Christian civilization.<\/p>\n I spoke to him only two weeks ago and invited him to Israel. Sadly, that visit will not take place. We lost an incredible human being. His boundless pride in America and his valiant belief in free speech will leave a lasting impact.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Dutch far-right leader Geert Wilders<\/strong> said:<\/p>\n Charlie Kirk was 100% right here. Out of respect for him and his bravery I repeat his true words that are valid for Europe as well: Islam is the sword the left is using to slit the throat of Europe.<\/p>\n Rest in peace, Charlie Kirk. Condolences to his family and America.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Meanwhile, as mentioned earlier in this blog, Italy\u2019s prime minister Giorgia Meloni<\/strong>, paid tribute to Kirk, saying:<\/p>\n The news of the killing of Charlie Kirk, a young and popular Republican activist, is shocking.<\/p>\n A heinous murder, a deep wound for democracy and for those who believe in freedom.<\/p>\n My condolences go out to his family, his loved ones, and the American conservative community.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a007.33 EDT<\/p>\n Here are some images coming in via the newswires:<\/p>\n People attend a vigil at Timpanogos Regional hospital for Charlie Kirk, the CEO and co-founder of Turning Point USA who was shot and killed, on Wednesday. Photograph: Alex Goodlett\/APA sheriff monitors the scene at Utah Valley University on Thursday after Charlie Kirk was shot and killed the day before. Photograph: Lindsey Wasson\/APThomas Hess and friend Nolan Jenson stand in front of the Capitol with flags after members of the community gathered at the Capitol in Salt Lake City to honor Charlie Kirk. Photograph: Scott G Winterton\/APA policeman and a K9 unit walk on campus after the shooting of Charlie Kirk, at Utah Valley University in Orem on Wednesday. Photograph: Marielle Scott\/EPAShare<\/a>\u2018What have we become?\u2019: shock across US political parties after Charlie Kirk shooting Charlie Kirk<\/strong>\u2019s death by an assassin\u2019s bullet<\/a> on a university campus in Utah<\/strong> on Wednesday has left the United States<\/strong>, a country already grappling with mounting political anger and polarization, in a state of profound shock bordering on despair.<\/p>\n Kirk, a rising star<\/a> of Donald Trump<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s make America great again (Maga) movement, was struck in the neck by a single shot as he addressed a large student crowd at Utah Valley University.<\/strong> The event had been billed as the grand opening of his 15-stop \u201cAmerica Comeback Tour\u201d, but instead will be marked as the place where he uttered his last words.<\/p>\n The 31-year-old leader of the rightwing student group Turning Point USA<\/strong> was about 20 minutes into a Q&A, ironically engaging with a question on mass shootings in America, when the shot rang out. Within seconds, hundreds of students had scattered screaming from the campus lawn.<\/p>\n Charlie Kirk speaks before he is shot during Turning Point’s visit to Utah Valley University in Orem, on Wednesday. Photograph: Tess Crowley\/AP<\/p>\n Within minutes of that, gruesome videos began to proliferate through social media, apparently undeterred by any algorithm. They showed Kirk being hit, slumping to his left side and profusely bleeding.<\/p>\n Long before Kirk was pronounced dead at 4.40pm \u2013 poignantly in a post<\/a> from his champion, the US president, on Truth Social \u2013 the wave of profound shock was breaking over both sides of the US\u2019s political divide.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is horrific. I am stunned,\u201d said the Republican senator from Texas<\/strong> Ted Cruz<\/a><\/strong>, who described Kirk on Twitter\/X<\/a> as a \u201cgood friend\u201d since the young activist\u2019s teenage years.<\/p>\n Kirk was unashamedly far to the right of the US political spectrum and had expressed openly bigoted views and engaged in homophobic and Islamophobic rhetoric. He recently tweeted<\/a>: \u201cIslam is the sword the left is using to slit the throat of America.\u201d<\/p>\n He mixed evangelical Christian beliefs with rightwing politics into a combustible brew. During an appearance with Trump in Georgia<\/strong> last fall, he claimed that Democrats \u201cstand for everything God hates\u201d, adding: \u201cThis is a Christian state. I\u2019d like to see it stay that way.\u201d<\/p>\n But mourning for Kirk crossed the political aisle.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Charlie Kirk<\/strong>\u2019s killing is a tragic marker of the indiscriminate nature of political violence, writes Guardian US<\/strong> columnist Margaret Sullivan<\/a><\/strong>. You can read the opinion piece here:<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Utah Republican senator faces backlash over post condemning Kirk\u2019s killing<\/p>\n The official X account of Mike Lee<\/strong>, a Republican US<\/strong> senator, drew backlash after quickly condemning Wednesday\u2019s killing of influential conservative activist <\/a>Charlie Kirk<\/a><\/strong> in Utah<\/strong> \u2013 less than three months from when the politician initially responded to the shootings of two Minnesota<\/strong> Democratic lawmakers by boosting misinformation about that case.<\/p>\n A post<\/a> from Lee, who joined the Senate in 2011, denounced Kirk\u2019s murder as \u201ca cowardly act of violence\u201d while hailing the Turning Point USA<\/strong> executive director as an \u201cAmerican patriot\u201d and \u201cinspiration to countless young people\u201d. His post also solicited prayers for the 31-year-old Kirk\u2019s widow, Erika<\/strong>, and their children.<\/p>\n \u201cThe terrorists will not win,\u201d Lee said shortly after Kirk\u2019s death while speaking at an outdoors gathering on the campus of Utah Valley University<\/strong> had been confirmed. \u201cCharlie will.\u201d<\/p>\n Mike Lee, a Utah Republican senator, is facing backlash over his post on Kirk\u2019s killing v his message on Hortman\u2019s shooting. Photograph: REX\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n While some of the platform\u2019s users replied positively to the post, many others immediately alluded to how Lee focused on advancing conspiracy theories<\/a> in the aftermath of the 14 June shootings that killed Minnesota\u2019s house speaker Melissa Hortman<\/strong> and her husband, Mark<\/strong>, while wounding state senator John Hoffman<\/strong> \u2013 her fellow Democrat \u2013 as well as his wife, Yvette<\/strong>.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is what happens,\u201d Lee wrote in an X post, \u201cWhen Marxists don\u2019t get their way.\u201d Attached to the post was a picture of the suspect charged in the shooting, Vance Boelter<\/strong>, evidently wearing a latex face mask.<\/p>\n There was no evidence Boelter is a Marxist. Friends have told local media he was right-leaning. And while Minnesota voters don\u2019t list party affiliation, Boelter was registered as a Republican in Oklahoma<\/strong> in 2004.<\/p>\n Separately, under another picture of Boelter, Lee wrote, \u201cNightmare on Waltz Street,\u201d which appeared to be a reference to Tim Walz<\/strong>, Minnesota<\/strong>\u2019s Democratic governor, who was Kamala Harris<\/strong>\u2019s running mate in the 2024 presidential election won by Donald Trump<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Lee\u2019s allusion to Walz came as conservative influencers misleadingly suggested an alliance between the governor and Boelter. Walz\u2019s Democratic predecessor, Mark Dayton<\/strong>, appointed Boelter in 2016 to a 60-member voluntary advisory board. Boelter\u2019s appointment was renewed in 2019 by Walz, who did not know him.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>\u2018Despicable\u2019: Republicans and Democrats condemn violence after Charlie Kirk killing The killing<\/a> <\/strong>of the rightwing activist Charlie Kirk<\/strong> at a Utah<\/a><\/strong> college on Wednesday afternoon prompted outrage from Democrats<\/a> and Republicans<\/a> over the latest act of political violence in the United States<\/strong>, with Donald Trump<\/a><\/strong> lamenting the loss of a key ally.<\/p>\n \u201cThe 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,\u201d the US president posted on his Truth Social platform.<\/p>\n The president ordered flags to be lowered to half mast to honor Kirk, who was prominent in Trump\u2019s make America great again (Maga) movement.<\/p>\n Trump, who survived an assassination attempt<\/a> while campaigning in July 2024, also blamed the violence on the \u201cradical left [who] have compared wonderful Americans like Charlie to Nazis\u201d in an evening video<\/a> address. \u201cThis kind of rhetoric is directly responsible for the terrorism that we\u2019re seeing in our country,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n The identity and motives of the shooter, who was not in custody early Wednesday evening, are not yet known.<\/p>\n JD Vance<\/a><\/strong> called Kirk \u201ca genuinely good guy and a young father\u201d and tweeted prayers.<\/p>\n Secretary of state Marco Rubio<\/strong> said he was \u201cheartbroken and outrages [sic] by the assassination of Charlie Kirk,\u201d calling the 31-year-old \u201can incredible husband and father and a great American\u201d.<\/p>\n Former vice-president Kamala Harris<\/strong> said she was \u201cdeeply disturbed\u201d by the shooting of Kirk, who organized against her presidential campaign last year.<\/p>\n![\"Law](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1757592316_125_3000.jpg\")
Law enforcement tapes off an area after Charlie Kirk was fatally shot on the Utah Valley University campus on Wednesday. Photograph: Tess Crowley\/AP<\/p>\n\n
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Ben Quinn<\/p>\n\n
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Ed Pilkington<\/p>\n![\"Chris](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Chris_Stein.png\")
Chris Stein<\/p>\n