Trump ally, pro-Israel activist Charlie Kirk dies after shooting in Utah

Charlie Kirk, the CEO and co-founder of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA, was shot dead on Wednesday at an event at a Utah college. 

Kirk was rushed to hospital, where he was said to be in a critical condition; however, US President Donald Trump later announced Kirk's death on social media.

"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!" Trump wrote on X.

Videos posted earlier to social media showed Kirk speaking into a handheld microphone while sitting under a white tent emblazoned with the slogan, “The American Comeback” and “Prove Me Wrong.”

A single shot rings out and Kirk can be seen reaching up with his right hand as a large volume of blood gushes from the left side of his neck. Stunned spectators gasp and scream, and some run away. The AP was able to confirm the videos were taken at Sorensen Center courtyard on the Utah Valley University campus, where Kirk was scheduled to speak on Wednesday.

Earlier, Aubrey Laitsch at Turning Point USA confirmed Charlie Kirk had been hospitalized.

“He is in the hospital, and we are praying for him at this time,” Laitsch said at the time.