Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist and close ally of President Donald Trump, has been shot and killed at a Utah college event in an act that the state’s governor called a “political assassination.”

In videos circulating on social media of the event, Charlie Kirk can be seen sitting in a white gazebo addressing a crowd gathered at an event at Utah Valley University. The tent features the words "The American Comeback Tour" - the name of his current speaking tour.

Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk was shot during an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday, according to reports.

No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie,” President Donald Trump wrote of him.

Meanwhile, Trump says he is "filled with grief and anger at the heinous assassination", calling it a "dark moment for America" in a video message Edited by Jamie Whitehead and Dulcie Lee with reporting from Regan Morris and Christal Hayes at Utah Valley university The sudden death of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk came as a shock to many,

Lawmakers quickly sounded off after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot during an event on his "American Comeback Tour" at Utah Valley University on Wednesday afternoon. Prayers for Kirk's recovery as well as condemnation of political violence poured in from both Democrats and Republicans minutes after the news broke.

In the tragic roll call of violence in American public life, Charlie Kirk’s name joins what has fast become a long list . The influential 31-year old commentator , who cast his young professional life rousing other young people to embrace or debate his brand of conservatism,