Charlie Kirk, the influential right-wing activist and founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot on Wednesday while speaking at a campus event at Utah Valley University. He was 31.

Kirk was a close ally of President Donald Trump.

The shooting occurred shortly after noon as Kirk began his address at a university courtyard in Orem, Utah.

A single shot was fired from a distance, striking Kirk in the neck.

Videos from the event, show Kirk reaching for his neck and slumping over as a crowd of students flees in panic.

According to a university spokeswoman, Kirk was killed approximately 20 minutes into his speech.

He was transported by his security team to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Law enforcement officials are still searching for the gunman. Initial reports from the university stated that a suspect had been taken into custody, but officials later clarified that the person detained was not the shooter.

President Trump confirmed Kirk’s death on his social media site, Truth Social, calling him a great, and even legendary figure and ordering flags to be flown at half-staff.

Former President Barack Obama and California Governor Gavin Newsom have also condemned the violence.

Kirk founded Turning Point USA at the age of 18 and grew the organization into a powerful force in conservative youth activism.

He became a leading voice in the pro-Trump movement, using his radio show, books, and campus tours to mobilize young voters and advocate for a hard-right agenda.