Who is Charlie Kirk? Why did the shocking shooting case across the United States cause Trump to announce a nationwide half-mast?

Recently, American conservative activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA (TPUSA) Charlie Kirk was shot and killed during a public event at Utah Valley University (Utah Valley University, UVU) on September 10, Eastern Time. Federal agencies have intervened in the investigation, and President Trump has ordered all federal agencies across the country to lower their flags to half-staff in mourning.

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American right-wing youth leader Charlie Kirk promotes conservatism on campus.

Charlie Kirk was born in 1993 and founded TPUSA at the age of 18, focusing on promoting conservatism on college campuses and among young people; in 2019, he established the nonprofit organization Turning Point Action to support conservative candidates. He has hosted "The Charlie Kirk Show" for many years and has a large following on social media, being regarded as an important opinion leader for the younger generation of the American right.

Charlie Kirk has long advocated for traditional family/Christian values, opposed LGBTQ+, opposed stricter gun control and progressive gender policies, and often critiques mainstream media with a sharp style, speaking out on issues such as race and immigration.

Charlie Kirk was shot and killed during a college debate tour.

The incident occurred at an outdoor event at Utah Valley University, where thousands of people were present. Multiple videos from the scene show that as Kirk was answering questions related to "gun violence," gunshots were heard, and he immediately fell to the ground; police indicated that preliminary assessments suggest the bullet was fired from a nearby rooftop, with only one shot fired. Kirk was shot in the neck and pronounced dead after being taken to the hospital. At the time of the incident, police arrested a suspect, but later determined that this suspect was not involved, and thus the perpetrator remains at large.

Trump mourns ally Charlie Kirk, flags at half-mast across the U.S.

Trump wrote on social media: "The great, even legendary Charlie Kirk has passed away. No one understood the heart of American youth better than Charlie. He was loved and respected by all, especially by me, and now he is no longer with us." He immediately announced that the entire nation would lower the flag to half-mast in honor of Charlie Kirk until Sunday.

Who is Charlie Kirk in this article? Why did Trump announce a nationwide half-staff flag in response to the shocking shooting that stunned the entire United States? Originally appeared in Chain News ABMedia.