US President Donald Trump has described himself as “filled with grief and anger” following the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
The conservative pundit was shot dead while addressing students at an event on a Utah college campus last night.
Two suspects were taken into custody but subsequently released without charge.
Governor of Utah Spencer Cox described Mr Kirk’s death as a “political assassination”, also noting that his State retains the death penalty.
In an address from the Oval Office, a visibly emotional Donald Trump vowed the killer would be caught.
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“For years, those on the radical left have compared wonderful Americans like Charlie to Nazis and the world’s worst mass murderers and criminals,” he said.
“This kind of rhetoric is directly responsible for the terrorism that we’re seeing in our country today.”
On Newstalk Breakfast, former Chair of the Nevada Republican Party Amy Tarkanian said there is “complete disbelief” everywhere in America following his death.
“When I met him, he was a rising star and he was 24 years old at the time,” she recalled.
“Just a young man starting out, moving up the Republican ranks and getting the attention of the younger generation.
“He attended a fundraiser that was being hosted for my husband at the time in Washington DC; he was kind, he was a gentleman, he was filled with excitement and energy.
“He definitely was very outspoken with his beliefs, he did not waver; you could agree with him or disagree with him.”
Donald J. Trump shakes hands with with Charlie Kirk in 2018. Picture by: Ron Sachs/CNP /MediaPunchMs Tarkanian praised his “strong convictions” and said she was hugely sad that there is “very little room to zero room for civil discourse and healthy dialogue”.
“You’ve seen a number of attempts on members of Congress - Republican and Democrat,” she said.
“You had the former Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi’s husband, who was attacked in her home.
“You had Congressman Steve Scalise, who was shot at while they were playing a baseball game with other members of the House.
“You can look at both sides and it’s troubling.”
Charlie Kirk. Picture by: Alamy.com.When asked whether tighter gun laws could prevent gun violence in America, Ms Tarkanian said the main problem is the mental ill health of so many people.
“We do have laws and they are there for a reason,” she said.
“If you have someone who is hell bent on doing as much damage possible, somebody who is not well mentally, they’re going to find a way.
“There’s a black market, they can maybe know of somebody who is not a responsible gunowner and does not lock it away like they’re supposed to.
“There are a number of ways of getting a hold of a weapon.”
Mr Kirk is survived by his wife and two young children.
Main image: Charlie Kirk and Donald Trump in 2024. Picture by: Sipa US/Alamy Live News.
