By Emily Anderson Stern, Courtney Tanner and Dylan Eubank | The Salt Lake Tribune | Photo by Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune

Orem • Right-wing political commentator Charlie Kirk was shot and killed Wednesday during a speaking appearance at Utah Valley University.

“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead,” President Donald Trump posted Wednesday afternoon on his social media platform Truth Social.

“No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie,” the president said. “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!”

Aubrey Laitsch, public relations manager for Kirk-founded Turning Point USA, said, “It is with a heavy heart that we confirm that Charles James Kirk has been murdered by a gunshot that took place during Turning Point USA’s ‘The American Comeback Tour’ campus event” at UVU.

“May he be received into the merciful arms of our loving Savior who suffered and died for Charlie, Laitsch added. ”We ask that everyone keep his family and loved ones in your prayers. We ask that you please respect their privacy and dignity in this time.”

Real America’s Voice, a right-wing media network that hosts “The Charlie Kirk Show,” also said Wednesday afternoon that Kirk was killed.

Read more at SLTrib.com.

This article is published through the Utah News Collaborative, a partnership of news organizations in Utah that aims to inform readers across the state.

This is a breaking story and may be updated.