President Donald Trump spoke to a nation in mourning after the death of the conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Kirk was assassinated Wednesday at an appearance at Utah Valley University.
Trump called the gunman a “monster” and said it a “dark moment for America,” Fox News reported.
The president spoke of Kirk’s ability to inspire others, especially young Americans.
“Charlie inspired millions, and tonight all who knew him and loved him are united in shock and horror,” he said.
“He was a patriot who devoted his life to the cause of open debate and the country that he loved so much — the United States of America. He fought for liberty, democracy, justice and the American people,” Trump added. “He’s a martyr for truth and freedom, and there’s never been anyone who was so respected by youth.”
“His mission was to bring young people into the political process, which he did better than anybody ever, to share his love of country and to spread the simple words of common sense on campuses nationwide,” the president said.
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Kirk was shot as he was talking in part part of his American Comeback Tour, IJR reported.
Just before Kirk was shot, he was responding to a question about transgender mass shooters in the U.S.
The assassin remains at large as of Thursday morning, Fox News reported.
Trump also spoke of his own assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, last year.
He talked of Kirk’s death in a broader context of escalating political violence across the U.S.
Kirk, 31, was shot in the neck by a gunman who fired from a rooftop
Trump warned about the dangers of political rhetoric fueling violence.
“It’s long past time for all Americans and the media to confront the fact that violence and murder are the tragic consequence of demonizing those with whom you disagree day after day, year after year, in the most hateful and despicable way possible,” Trump said.
