Charlie Kirk assassination: What were his chilling last words before being fatally shot in Utah

Charlie Kirk last chilling words

Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist and close ally of President Donald Trump who played an influential role in mobilizing young Republican voters, was fatally shot Wednesday at a Utah college event in what the governor described as a political assassination carried out from a rooftop.

The 31-year-old Turning Point USA founder was immediately taken to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries. Videos circulating on social media show Kirk answering a question on mass shootings during a Utah Valley University debate when a gunshot rang out, fatally wounding him.

An audience member asked, "Do you know how many transgender Americans have been mass shooters over the last 10 years?" Kirk replied, "Too many." The questioner then asked, "Do you know how many mass shooters there have been in America over the last 10 years?" Kirk answered, "Counting or not counting gang violence?" Seconds later, a single shot rang out.

Kirk was speaking at a debate hosted by his nonprofit political organization and had been taking questions on mass shootings and gun violence.

Disturbing footage showed Kirk clutching his neck as blood poured from his wound while shocked students screamed and ran. He later died from his injuries.

A suspect, identified as Michael Mallinson, was taken into custody but later released after police determined he was not the actual shooter.

Some 3,000 people were in attendance, according to a statement from the Utah Department of Public Safety, which also said the university police department had six officers working the event along with Kirk's own security detail.

The death was announced on social media by Trump, who praised the 31-year-old Kirk, the co-founder and CEO of the youth organization Turning Point USA, as “Great, and even Legendary.” Later Wednesday, he released a recorded video from the White House in which he called Kirk a “martyr for truth and freedom” and blamed the rhetoric of the “radical left” for the killing.