Far-right activist Charlie Kirk killed

Kirk, who founded the far-right youth organization Turning Point USA, has died after being shot on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah:

Kirk, 31, emerged as one of the most prominent voices on the right, gaining an audience of millions of listeners between his daily talk show and social media channels. He rose to prominence in conservative circles largely by holding events on college campuses at which he debated liberal students. He developed a close relationship with Trump in recent years and was a regular presence at Mar-a-Lago in the winter during Trump’s transition to his second presidential term.

It was only about 10 minutes into the conservative activist’s appearance at the university. Kirk had just welcomed the students with remarks of gratitude for their political involvement and taken one question about religion, said [student Sarah] Heywood, 19.

Then, the second person began asking about gun violence. It was clear, Heywood said, that they were ready to have a heated conversation with Kirk. Still, she didn’t think anything of it. She just listened.

The audience member was midsentence when a bullet struck Kirk in the neck, Heywood said. She’d barely registered the “pop” of the gunfire before she saw Kirk’s head swing backward and blood spew from his neck, she said.

In an appearance in April 2023, Kirk said that gun deaths are "unfortunately worth it" to preserve an absolutist interpretation of the Second Amendment.

The thoughts and prayers of thousands are with Kirk's family today, who, like millions of other Americans, may not think it "worth it." For my part, I'm thinking more about the deeper meaning of Matthew 26:52.