Video footage shows Charlie Kirk's final words before his death at a university event.
The Turning Point USA founder, aimed at spreading conservative ideals, was shot and killed yesterday (10 September) while hosting a busy event at Utah Valley University. At the time, Kirk had been taking questions about the ongoing culture of mass shootings and gun violence in the US.
Donald Trump has confirmed the 31-year-old's death on social media, expressing his grief.
"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," the POTUS wrote on his platform Truth Social.
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"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!"
Newly released footage shows Kirk sitting under a white tent, answering questions.
During the rally, an audience member approached the microphone to challenge him on mass shootings.
"Do you know many transgender Americans have been shooters over the last 10 years?"
'Too many,’ Kirk answered.
The questioner then asked: "Do you know how many mass shooters there have been in America over the last 10 years?"
Kirk's final response was: "Counting or not counting gang violence?" Seconds later, a single shot was heard.
The horrifying footage shows Kirk clutching his neck as blood poured from his neck. Kirk soon died from his injuries.
Authorities confirmed that a suspect was initially taken into custody, though the FBI later said this individual had been released.
"The subject in custody has been released after an interrogation by law enforcement. Our investigation continues and we will continue to release information in interest of transparency," wrote FBI Director Kash Patel on X.
Another person who was arrested has been also released as officials said they have 'no current ties' to the shooting. In response to the incident, Trump described the event as a 'heinous assassination' in which he was filled with 'grief and anger.'
Investigators from the FBI and the Utah Department of Public Safety indicated that the attack was 'targeted,' with the shooter believed to have fired from a nearby building.
"The shooting is believed to be a targeted attack," the investigators wrote. "The shooter is believed to have fired from the roof of a building down to the location of the public event in the student courtyard."
Utah Governor Spencer Cox described the attack as a 'political assassination' and suggested that the killer could even receive the death penalty.
"This is a dark day for our state, it's a tragic day for our nation," he stated.