US police are searching for the killer of Charlie Kirk, the popular right-wing commentator and staunch supporter of President Donald Trump who was killed by a sniper at a Utah university event.
In a sign of how deeply the Trump administration has felt the assassination of one of its allies, the State Department on Thursday warned that any foreigner cheering the murder could be denied a US visa or deported.
Authorities said the gunman is believed to have jumped off a roof and fled after shooting Mr Kirk in broad daylight as he was speaking at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. The attacker then fled into a wooded area, where police said they found a high-powered, bolt-action rifle. They also said they obtained video of the suspected killer.
Mr Kirk, 31, was killed by a single gunshot fired from a roof about 180 metres from where he was speaking, police said. He was talking about mass shootings and gun violence during a Q&A session with students when he was shot in the neck, while sitting under a tent with the slogans “Prove Me Wrong” and “The American Comeback” written on it.
Authorities said the gunman appeared to be of college age and blended in with students on the campus. The FBI released images of a “person of interest” wearing a black baseball cap, sunglasses and a black jumper with an emblem of a US flag on it.
Besides the spent cartridge recovered in the chamber, three other rounds were loaded in the magazine, AP reported. The weapon and ammunition are being forensically analysed at a federal laboratory for clues that could help identify the shooter or the motive.
During remarks at the Pentagon to commemorate the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, Mr Trump said he would posthumously award Mr Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America's highest honour for civilians.
“Charlie was a giant of his generation, a champion of liberty and an inspiration to millions and millions of people,” Mr Trump said. “I have no doubt that Charlie's voice and the courage he put into the hearts of countless people, especially young people, will live on.”
Mr Kirk was also a deeply divisive figure who frequently espoused racist and sexist viewpoints, as well as Islamophobic opinions.
Visa warning
The State Department meanwhile warned foreign visa applicants and holders that they could be denied a US visa or deported if they celebrate Mr Kirk's killing.
Deputy secretary of state Christopher Landau said he was personally “disgusted to see some on social media praising, rationalising, or making light of the event, and have directed our consular officials to undertake appropriate action.”
Mr Landau has been at the forefront of publicising the revocations and denials of US visas, having announced this year that he had revoked visas for Bob Vylan and crew after the British punk-rap duo led crowds in chanting “death” to the Israeli military.
“In light of yesterday’s horrific assassination of a leading political figure, I want to underscore that foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country,” Mr Landau said.
He also asked social media users to copy him in on any posts they might see that could be relevant. Many users were quick to do so, flagging screenshots of posts from people who had celebrated Mr Kirk's death or suggested Mr Trump should be assassinated next.
Mr Trump has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in honour of Mr Kirk. His death is just the latest in a wave of political violence in America. It prompted an outpouring of grief and condemnation from across the political spectrum.
“Political violence is the enemy of democracies, and we have an obligation on all sides to fight it at every turn, condemn it whenever it arises, where it arises, including the heinous murder of Charlie Kirk,” said Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer, a senior Democrat.
