Conservative activist Charlie Kirk has died after being shot during a campus event in Utah. He was 31.
Kirk, a close ally of former President Donald Trump, was well known for hosting outdoor debates at universities across the United States.
In a video statement, Trump expressed his grief and outrage, describing the killing as a “heinous assassination” and a “dark moment for America.”
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that a suspect who had previously been detained has since been released. Investigators believe the fatal shot came from a rooftop. BBC Verify has analyzed video footage posted online after the shooting.
Another video from the event shows Kirk being questioned about mass shootings moments before the gunfire erupted.
Kirk founded the conservative group Turning Point USA when he was just 18, quickly rising to prominence and forging close ties with Trump and his family.
