Conservative activist Charlie Kirk shared a chilling final message online only minutes before being shot during a campus event in Utah. His death was later confirmed by former president Donald Trump, who paid tribute on his Truth Social platform.

Trump wrote: “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 shooting at Utah Valley University

The attack took place on Wednesday, September 10, as Kirk spoke to thousands of students at Utah Valley University. Video from the scene shows him seated on stage when a loud bang is heard. Kirk appeared to be struck in the neck, closed his eyes, and collapsed backwards as blood began to flow from the wound.

The Justice Department has opened an investigation into the shooting. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche described it as a “senseless act of violence.”