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Donald Trump has pledged to posthumously bestow Republican firebrand Charlie Kirk with the Presidential Medal of Freedom – the nation’s highest civilian honor – following the conservative activist’s death in a devastating campus taking pictures.

The US president announced the choice during a Pentagon deal with commemorating the anniversary of the 9/11 assaults. He started with a heartfelt tribute: “Before we begin let me express the horror and grief so many Americans at the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk have felt.

“Charlie was a giant of his era, a champion of liberty and an inspiration to hundreds of thousands and hundreds of thousands of people.” Trump offered direct praise to Kirk’s family, stating: “Our prayers are with his great spouse Erika and his stunning kids – incredible people they’re. We miss him enormously, yet I’ve no doubt that Charlie’s voice and the braveness he put into the hearts of numerous people, particularly younger people, will live on.” Meanwhile, a video has been released of the Kirk shooter suspect dangling from a roof amiod their frantic ‘getaway.’

He subsequently confirmed the country’s most prestigious honor will be granted in Kirk’s memory, though no timeline has been established. “I can only guarantee you one factor – we can have a very big crowd, very very big,” Trump added.

Kirk, 31, was a prominent figure in conservative politics as the co-founder of Turning Point USA, an organization that energized young Republicans throughout college campuses nationwide. He established a strong media presence through a widely-followed podcast and frequent television appearances, maintaining strong ties with Trump and his inner circle, including Vice President JD Vance.

The right-wing figurehead, who was married to two small children, had been instrumental in persuading Trump to select Vance as his vice presidential candidate.

The killing occurred on Wednesday in Orem, Utah, during one of Kirk’s signature “Prove Me Wrong” discussions, where he invited students to contest his controversial positions before a substantial outdoor audience. Shortly after noon, a lone gunshot echoed through the area, hitting him fatally in the neck.

Utah‘s public safety commissioner verified that investigators possess “good video footage” of the suspect, whose identity remains unknown. Officials retrieved the murder weapon, characterizing it as a “high-powered, bolt-action rifle.”

The FBI has assumed primary responsibility for pursuing the gunman. Special Agent Bohls reported the agency has collected over 130 tips and pledged to “convey every useful resource to bear” in tracking down the killer.

He cautioned: “Any assault on the First Amendment is an assault on the very basis of our democracy. That is why we’ll relentlessly pursue this case and the shooter until we discover him.”

Kirk’s murder has shaken Washington and beyond. Trump announced the death in a somber post on his social media platform, and tributes from conservative legislators rapidly followed.

Many liberals also denounced the attack, labeling it as an affront to free speech and American democracy itself. Authorities reported that the shooter arrived at Utah Valley University campus at 11:52 a. m. local time, and shortly fled after initiating the gunfire.