Top Trump ally Charlie Kirk dead after shooting in Utah

Top Trump ally Charlie Kirk has been killed after a campus shooting in Utah.

Donald Trump confirmed the news on his social media platform Truth Social.

He said: "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!"

The influential conservative speaker is well known for holding open-air debates on campuses across the country.

Mr Kirk, 31, was speaking to students when someone opened fire at the school on Wednesday, according to officals.

A shot was fired at 12:20 local time as Kirk was taking a question from a student. Video shows him immediately collapse and blood can be seen on his neck.

US Vice President JD Vanc has just posted on social media. "Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord," he writes.

The right-wing activist posted footage on his TikTok account just minutes before the shooting today, Wednesday September 10.

He told the crowd: "That's a lot of people, Utah. Gather up.

"I'm going to be here for a couple of hours, get comfortable."

Utah Valley University is closed for the rest of the day and the suspect is still at large.

A spokesperson for Utah Valley University has retracted an earlier claim that a suspect in the shooting of Mr Kirk is in custody.

In a statement provided to Deseret News in Utah, university spokesperson Scott Trotter said: "We can confirm that Mr Kirk was shot, but we don't know his condition. The suspect is not in custody. Police are still investigating Campus is closed for the rest of the day."

Footage taken by eyewitnesses shows crowds of people fleeing the scene after the dramatic shooting took place.

According to officials, Kirk was shot from about 200 yards away, on the opposite side of the quad where he was speaking.

Kirk's family were all in attendance at the university campus with him.

"Pray for [Kirk] his wife Erika, their two children, and all who were present at Utah Valley University," Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin posted on X.