Photo: Alamy
President Donald Trump said Thursday he plans to attend the funeral of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who died after being shot at a college event in Utah on Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters outside the White House, Trump said the service is expected to take place next weekend in Arizona. He confirmed that he had spoken with Kirk’s widow, Erika, who is “absolutely devastated” at the loss of her husband.
“They’ve asked me to go, and I think have an obligation to be there,” Trump said.
Kirk, 31, died in the hospital on Wednesday after being shot in the neck during a student event at Utah Valley University in Orem. He leaves behind his wife and two children. Vice President JD Vance, a close friend of Kirk’s, accompanied the casket from Utah to Arizona aboard Air Force Two late Thursday.
Trump described Kirk as a “great person” whose influence was especially strong among young conservatives.
“Charlie Kirk was a great person, a great man. Great in every way. Especially with youth,” Trump said. “And what he did, what this man did, was disgraceful. So hopefully we’ll have him and we’ll deal with him very appropriately.”
The president said he had an “indication” of the shooter’s motive but declined to elaborate, adding only that investigators are making “big progress” in the search.
The FBI confirmed that no suspect is currently in custody, but agents have recovered what they believe to be the firearm used in the killing. According to officials, cartridges in the rifle were engraved with anti-transgender and anti-fascist messages.
Authorities have not announced any arrests as the manhunt for the shooter continues.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox also warned of misinformation spread online following Kirk’s death.
“There is a tremendous amount of disinformation […] our adversaries want violence,” he warned, referring to China and Russia. “I would encourage you to turn off those streams and spend more time with your families. We desperately need some healing.”