Charlie Kirk assassination: Bullet struck as Trump ally spoke on gang violence; his chilling last words

“Counting or not counting gang violence?” – Those had been the last words of conservative activist and Donald Trump ally Charlie Kirk earlier than he was shot useless on Wednesday throughout an out of doors occasion at Utah Valley University.Kirk, 31, had been talking and taking questions concerning the long-running tradition of mass capturing and gun violence in America when the assault passed off.

Video from the occasion confirmed Kirk sitting underneath a white tent, holding a microphone and answering questions.An viewers member requested, “Do you know how many transgender Americans have been mass shooters over the last 10 years?” Kirk replied, “Too many.” The questioner then requested, “Do you know how many mass shooters there have been in America over the last 10 years?” Kirk answered, “Counting or not counting gang violence?” Seconds later, a single shot rang out.Disturbing footage confirmed Kirk clutching his neck as blood poured from his wound whereas shocked college students screamed and ran. He later died from his accidents.Thousands had turned out for his look, and police had been already current on campus. At the time of the capturing, Kirk was chatting with the group in a low space surrounded by campus buildings.President Donald Trump introduced Kirk’s dying on Truth Social, calling him “the Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk.” Trump added, “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.” Speaking later to the New York Post, Trump known as him “a very, very good friend of mine and a tremendous person.” Melania Trump additionally despatched condolences to Kirk’s spouse, Erika, and their two younger youngsters.Later, in a four-minute video posted on Truth Social, Trump known as the killing “an assassination” and remembered Kirk as “a patriot who devoted his life to open debate and the country he loved so much.”He added, “I am filled with grief and anger at the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk.”Kirk had turn out to be some of the influential MAGA voices in recent times. He grew up within the suburbs of Chicago, volunteering for political campaigns whereas nonetheless in highschool and even organizing to overturn a cafeteria worth hike. He enrolled at Harper College however later dropped out to commit himself full-time to political activism.Kirk’s last words — “Counting or not counting gang violence?” — have since unfold extensively on-line, underscoring the grim irony of his dying throughout a dialogue about gun violence.