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On Wednesday afternoon in the United States, Charlie Kirk, a well-known conservative commentator, radical activist, and co-founder of Turning Point USA, was shot in the neck during a public event at Utah Valley University. Despite emergency medical treatment, he eventually died, aged 31.

The campus dialogue event, which was intended to kick off his "Great American Comeback Tour," came to an abrupt end when the gunshot rang out. Video footage showed Kirk sitting in the center of the stage, interacting with students, when suddenly a gunshot was heard. His body shook violently, blood spurted from his left neck, and the audience screamed, causing chaos to erupt immediately.

Details of the Shooting: A Bullet from 200 Feet Away

According to officials from Utah Valley University, the gunshot came from the top of the Loci Center on campus, about 200 feet away from the stage. No metal detectors were set up at the scene, and security measures were relatively loose. Police initially detained a suspect, but soon confirmed that he was not the shooter, and the real perpetrator is still being pursued.

Sophie Anderson, a witness standing about 100 feet in front of the stage, recalled, "At the moment the gunshot was heard, I knew it was a shooting. Kirk was shot in the neck and fell to the ground, bleeding profusely. All the kids broke down, screaming and running away in all directions."

Phil Lyman, a former Utah state legislator who had also taken the stage at the event, said, "I was just with Kirk handing out hats to the audience a few minutes ago. It happened too suddenly."

Trump Confirms the Tragedy: A "Sacrifice" of an Ally

Shortly after the news broke, U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed Kirk's death on his social media platform, Truth Social. He wrote:

"Great, even legendary Charlie Kirk is dead. No one understood the hearts of American youth more than Charlie. He was deeply loved and respected, especially by me. Melania and I extend our deepest condolences to his beautiful wife Erica and his family. Charlie, we love you!"

As one of Trump's most steadfast allies, Kirk has long advocated for conservatism on campuses and in the media, often referred to as a "preacher for the next generation of the right." His sudden shooting was seen by the Trump camp as a major blow to the American conservative movement.

Reactions from Politics and Public Opinion

The shooting shocked the U.S. political arena.

  • Vice President JD Vance wrote on social media: "Praying for Charlie Kirk, a sincere and kind young man and a young father."
  • Utah Senator Mike Lee called for national prayers and urged enhanced campus security.
  • California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, rare across party lines, expressed condolences: "The attack on Charlie Kirk is disgusting, despicable, and condemnable. In the United States of America, we must reject all forms of political violence."
  • Right-wing commentators Candace Owens and Michael Knowles also urged the public to "stop everything and pray for Kirk" shortly after the incident.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel stated that the agency has joined the investigation, and agents are working diligently to apprehend the shooter.

Event Background: Campus Controversies and Tension

Kirk's visit to Utah Valley University had already sparked significant controversy. Just days before the event, an online petition calling on the university to prohibit Kirk's speech had gathered thousands of signatures. Critics accused him of spreading "divisive and extreme" ideas on campus. However, the university, citing the First Amendment, emphasized its commitment to free speech, intellectual inquiry, and constructive dialogue, and refused to cancel the event.

Ironically, just minutes before the shooting, Kirk had posted excitedly on X: "We. Really. Are back. Utah Valley University is ready and waiting for the first stop of the American comeback tour."

Charlie Kirk: The Youth Leader of Conservatism

Kirk was born in 1993 and entered political action at the age of 18. In 2012, he co-founded Turning Point USA, dedicated to promoting conservative ideals on American campuses.

He spoke twice at the Republican National Convention: in 2016, he made his debut as the youngest speaker, and in 2020, he served as the opening guest. Kirk was named one of Forbes' "30 Under 30" and his personal podcast, "The Charlie Kirk Show," has over a million daily listeners, consistently ranking in the top ten of Apple News podcasts.

In his private life, Kirk and his wife Erika have two young children, and the family has often been part of his political campaigns, emphasizing "traditional family values."

A heartbreaking family photo

The Shadow of Political Violence

Kirk's assassination has once again raised concerns about political violence in American society. Over the past year, there have been several shocking attacks in the United States:

  • Last year, Trump was shot at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
  • In June this year, a state legislator and her husband were stabbed at home in Minnesota.
  • In April this year, the governor's residence in Pennsylvania was set on fire.
  • Explosives or arson attacks have also occurred at demonstrations and rallies in various places.

Analysts point out that with the aftermath of the 2024 election still lingering, political polarization in the United States has deepened further, and the tensions between the left and the right have spread to all levels of society. Kirk's case is not just a personal tragedy, but also another warning about the normalization of political violence.

University in Silence, Investigation Continues

After the shooting, Utah Valley University announced a full shutdown and evacuation of the campus until further notice. The scene has been completely cordoned off by police, and federal and local law enforcement agencies are cooperating on the investigation.

Nationally, supporters and opponents of Kirk are having intense debates online: some call him a "hero who died for conservatism," while others criticize the prevalence of firearms and extreme rhetoric in the United States as the root cause of the tragedy.

Currently, the identity and motive of the shooter have not been disclosed, but it is certain that this event will surely create a lasting ripple effect in the American political and public arenas.

Charlie Kirk's fall not only symbolizes the sudden departure of a young right-wing flag bearer but also reflects the difficult-to-control tendency of violence within the American political context. As American society tries to mend the divisions, this bloody incident reminds people that if the country cannot bridge the fractures of partisanship, ethnicity, and ideology, the shadow of violence will continue to loom over the public life of this nation.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7548564855805051435/

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