Political and Christian activist Charlie Kirk has been gunned down while speaking at an event at the Utah Valley University.

An avid ally of President Donald Trump, Kirk, 31, was struck in the neck by a single bullet, believed to be from a shooter on the roof of a nearby building.

Two suspects arrested earlier have since been released after investigators found no connection whatsoever with the shooting, as a manhunt has begun.

Former Vice-President of the United States of America Kamala Harris condemned the killing of Kirk, a father of two, saying, “It has no place in American politics.”

In a lengthy post on X, US Vice President JD Vance has paid tribute to Charlie Kirk as a “true friend” and a “great family man”.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has called for the death penalty for the killer.