Charlie Kirk, CEO and co-founder of the conservative youth group Turning Point USA, was assassinated during a university event in Utah. The 31-year-old commentator was speaking before a large crowd at Utah Valley University (UVU) when he was shot in the neck on Wednesday, September 10.

The news of his tragic passing was shared by President Donald Trump himself. Taking to the social media, Trump, who called Kirk “a very, very good friend,” wrote, “The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!”

Kirk frequently shared clips of debates with students on topics ranging from transgender identity and climate change to faith and family values oh his social media and his self-titled daily podcast.

His podcast began with a recording of Trump’s voice, “I want to thank Charlie, he’s an incredible guy, his spirit, his love of this country, he’s done an amazing job building one of the most powerful youth organisations ever created.”

Kirk’s friendship with President Trump grew after Trump won the elections, with Kirk attending the inauguration and visiting the White House regularly, the BBC reported.