Political Activist and Trump Ally Charlie Kirk Shot Dead in Utah

A conservative political activist and influential ally of US President Donald Trump has been shot dead in the western state of Utah.

Charlie Kirk was attending an event on a university campus when he was shot by an unidentified attacker at around noon on Wednesday. Kirk was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Trump posted a message on social media. He said: "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." The president also said he was ordering flags across the country to be flown at half-mast.

Kirk founded a conservative group that has greatly influenced young Americans. He actively engaged in debate and dialogue with students at universities across the US.

He reportedly played a key role in getting young voters to support Trump in last year's presidential election.

Utah authorities say the shooting occurred while a large crowd was gathered, and that one shot was fired at him.

A person of interest was taken into custody over the incident, but the Federal Bureau of Investigation says the individual has been released after interrogation.

The search for the shooter continues.

Shooting attempts targeting US politicians have occurred often recently.

In July last year, President Donald Trump was shot while giving a speech at an election rally in the eastern state of Pennsylvania. He suffered an injury to his right ear.

In September 2024, a man in possession of a gun was discovered close to where Trump was playing golf in the southern state of Florida. The Secret Service opened fire during the incident.

In June this year, two Democratic Party state legislators and their spouses were shot at their respective homes in the mid-western state of Minnesota. Two of the four people died.