Charlie Kirk killed after praising Mormon faith

Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed at a college event in Utah on Wednesday. The incident occurred shortly after Kirk had praised the Mormon faith, which the alleged shooter, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, had been raised in. Robinson, a trade school student from a devout Mormon family, was arrested following a 33-hour manhunt, aided by a tip from his relatives.

Kirk had expressed admiration for the Mormon community's values before being shot. The shooter fired from outside the venue using a hunting rifle and then discarded the weapon nearby. Authorities found bullet casings with anti-fascist slogans close to the scene. Robinson was apprehended after a family member contacted law enforcement with information about his involvement.

The FBI initially detained two unrelated individuals before focusing on Robinson. Despite being raised in the faith Kirk praised, Robinson showed no signs of radicalism. He was described as a smart and well-mannered individual pursuing a career as an electrician. While the motive for the shooting remains unclear, authorities are investigating possible influences from extremist online communities.

Before Robinson was publicly identified, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints condemned the violence and called for peace. Kirk, known for his conservative views, had a significant online presence and was a prominent figure in youth conservatism. President Trump called for the death penalty for the killer, and Vice President JD Vance accompanied Kirk's casket on its return to Phoenix. A vigil was held in Orem Park to honor Kirk's memory.