(NewsNation) — Conservative activist Charlie Kirk died on Wednesday after he was shot during an event at Utah Valley University.
The Turning Point USA co-founder and popular media personality was 31 years old.
Born and raised in the Chicago suburbs, Kirk became politically active as a teenager and launched Turning Point USA, a conservative advocacy group, in 2012 when he was just 18 years old.
Who is Charlie Kirk? Conservative activist shot at event
Over the years, Kirk and his grassroots organization grew in prominence, becoming highly influential in the conservative universe.
Kirk was perhaps best known for his fiery debates, verbally sparring with students on college campuses across the country. He also hosted “The Charlie Kirk Show,” a conservative talk radio program, and served as a personal aide to Donald Trump Jr., the president’s eldest son.
President Donald Trump expressed his condolences on Wednesday, writing: “The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. 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!
Kirk is survived by his wife and two children.
This is a developing story that will be updated.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
