President Trump on Wednesday night said that he was “filled with grief and anger” at the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at a Utah college campus, and called Kirk a “martyr for truth and freedom”, writes The Hill.

Trump, in a Wednesday night video posted online, also vowed to “find each and every one of those who contributed to this atrocity and to other political violence”: “He fought for liberty, democracy, justice, and the American people. He’s a martyr for truth and freedom, and there’s never been anyone who was so respected by youth. Charlie was also a man of deep, deep faith. And we take comfort in the knowledge that he is now at peace with God in heaven”.

Kirk, the 31-year-old co-founder of Turning Point USA, was struck by a gunshot to the neck during a Wednesday appearance at Utah Valley University, according to video footage from the event. Kirk appeared to be targeted in the attack; police said only a single shot was fired.

A “person of interest” is in custody, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) said at a press conference. FBI Director Kash Patel later said a “subject” was released after questioning.

Trump announced the death of one of his biggest allies on social media earlier in the day. In his night video message, Trump said his prayers were with Kirk’s wife, Erica, his two young children, and his entire family, adding that it was a “dark moment for America”. Trump called out the dangers of political disagreements, while also blaming the “radical left” for the “rhetoric that is directly responsible for the terrorism that we’re seeing in our country today”.

“It’s a long past time for all Americans and the media to confront the fact that violence and murder are the tragic consequences of demonizing those with whom you disagree day after day, year after year, in the most hateful and despicable way possible”, - said Donald Trump.