By Ellie Gosley

Copyright walesonline

Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist and influential ally of President Donald Trump, was shot and killed at a Utah college event. In a video message, the US president said he was “filled with grief and anger” after the shooting, describing it has a “dark moment for America.” Mr Trump said Mr Kirk was shot and killed as he was speaking at Utah Valley University. The shooting quickly drew reaction from leading political figures, and brought renewed attention to the threat of political violence. Mr Trump said Mr Kirk, 31, was shot and killed as he was speaking at Utah Valley University. The shooting quickly drew reaction from leading political figures, including some victims of political violence. A manhunt for the suspect is currently underway. Two people were detained earlier in the day, but neither was determined to have had any connection to the shooting and both have been released, Utah public safety officials said. “I am filled with grief and anger at the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk on a college campus in Utah,” Mr Trump said in an address to the nation. “This is a dark day for our state. It’s a tragic day for our nation,” said Utah Governor Spencer Cox. “I want to be very clear, this is a political assassination.” Leading UK figures have also condemned political violence in light of the shooting. This is dreadful. Whatever our political views and differences, there is no place for violence in our politics. Tonight two children have lost their Dad. Devastating. We need a global reset on what we want our politics to look like. Prime Minister Keir Starmer posted to X on Wednesday afternoon: “My thoughts this evening are with the loved ones of Charlie Kirk. It is heartbreaking that a young family has been robbed of a father and a husband. We must all be free to debate openly and freely without fear – there can be no justification for political violence.” The sister of murdered British MP Jo Cox also condemned the “dreadful” killing of Mr Kirk. For the biggest stories in Wales first, sign up to our daily newsletter She said: “This is dreadful. Whatever our political views and differences, there is no place for violence in our politics. Tonight two children have lost their Dad. Devastating. We need a global reset on what we want our politics to look like.” Videos from the event in Utah on Wednesda show Mr Kirk speaking into a handheld microphone at the university’s Sorensen Centre courtyard, sitting under a white tent emblazoned with the slogans, “The American Comeback” and “Prove Me Wrong”. A single shot rang out and Mr Kirk reached up with his hand to a wound in the left side of his neck. Stunned spectators gasped and screamed, with some people running away. Immediately before the shooting, Mr Kirk was taking questions from an audience member about mass shootings and gun violence. “Do you know how many transgender Americans have been mass shooters over the last 10 years?” the person asked. Mr Kirk responded, “Too many.” The questioner followed up: “Do you know how many mass shooters there have been in America over the last 10 years?” “Counting or not counting gang violence?” Mr Kirk asked. Then a single shot rang out. The shooter, whom Mr Cox pledged would be held accountable in a state with the death penalty, wore dark clothing and fired from a roof on campus some distance away. Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here . We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice