Our hearts are heavy. After the news that Charlie Kirk, a member of our Salem Corporation family, has succumbed to his gunshot wound.

President Donald Trump confirmed Kirk’s passing on Truth Social:

My colleague Matt Margolis wrote earlier today, “Conservative firebrand Charlie Kirk was reportedly shot during an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, on Wednesday. According to the Deseret News, the attack happened during a Q&A with students when bystanders say Kirk was struck near the neck.”

Kirk was 31. He leaves behind a wife and two children.

At age 19, Kirk started Turning Point USA, a movement to engage young conservatives and bring more young people to the conservative cause. His organization grew into an unstoppable force for unadulterated truth, and he enjoyed every minute of it.

Kirk also took over for Dennis Prager on his radio show this spring. His youthful voice was a breath of fresh air among an often noisy conservative movement.

I wrote back in March that “President Trump credited Kirk with helping swing young voters to the GOP. He called Kirk ‘the youth whisperer of the American right’ because the way he brought college students together to vote red was astonishing.”

One video that I return to again and again that expresses how effective Charlie was at reaching America’s youth is one from last year at the University of Georgia in which now-former Bulldog football star Nazir Stackhouse appeared at one of his rallies and grabbed a MAGA hat for head coach Kirby Smart:

“Charlie Kirk was a father, husband, and dedicated patriot who spent his life defending conservative values and inspiring young Americans," wrote Republican National Committee Chairman Joe Gruters in a statement. "Our hearts break for his wife, children, loved ones, and countless supporters across the country. The horrifying violence at Utah Valley University that took the life of Charlie Kirk is utterly appalling. Republicans and Democrats alike must stand united in condemning this brutality that has no place in America.”

Tributes and expressions of sympathy have poured in:

Charlie may be with his Lord and Savior, but his fight lives on. We will continue to further his cause. Rest in Peace, Charlie. We’ll take care of your mission.

This is a developing story. We will update it as more information becomes available.