Conservative Activist Charlie Kirk Fatally Shot at Utah University, Sparks Concerns Over Political Violence

TDT | Manama

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State police and federal agents launched a manhunt on Thursday for the gunman who killed conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University, in an attack that has heightened fears of escalating political violence in the United States.

Kirk, a prominent conservative voice, was just 31 years old. He was shot in the neck while speaking at an event on Wednesday, collapsing in front of a large audience as panic spread through the crowd. Video footage from the scene captured the moment a single shot rang out, followed by chaos among attendees.

Authorities described the incident as a "targeted attack," with the shooter, wearing dark clothing, reportedly firing from a nearby rooftop. Investigators have yet to publicly confirm a motive.

Utah Governor Spencer Cox, a Republican, called the killing a “political assassination,” highlighting the tense political climate surrounding the incident.

In a video message from the Oval Office, former President Donald Trump condemned the shooting and promised a crackdown on those responsible. “For years, those on the radical left have compared wonderful Americans like Charlie to Nazis and the world's worst mass murderers and criminals,” Trump said. “My administration will find each and every one of those who contributed to this atrocity.”

Students at the university described the shooting as terrifying. Samuel Kimball, a software engineering student, told AFP, “It makes me feel like I should be very careful about expressing my political ideas. If I was someone considering going into politics, I’d be afraid to get shot.”

The investigation is ongoing as authorities search for the suspect, and the incident has reignited concerns about political tensions and violence in the U.S.