The sudden and violent death of the American activist Charlie Kirk, who rallied a youth movement and held celebrity status among his fans, has sparked fierce debate over his political legacy.
The 31-year-old's young supporters appreciated his conservative Christian values and frank opinions. Speaking to the BBC, many were in tears as they remembered a man who listened to them and understood their concerns.
His views were polarising on the college campuses where he held large events, and his provocative speeches would draw crowds of vocal opponents as well as fans.
Kirk was a strong supporter of gun rights, vehemently opposed abortion, was critical of transgender rights and promoted false claims about Covid-19. He wasn't shy when it came to expressing his views - and his detractors also didn't hold back.
Encouraging and taking part in fierce, open debates was central to both his professional success and his personal worldview. When people stop talking, that's when you get violence, Kirk says in a video that has been widely shared since his death.
Now, both supporters and opponents have been left shaken after he was killed by a single shot on stage while debating at a university in Utah.
In an emotional video posted to his millions of followers, left-wing influencer Dean Withers said gun violence is always disgusting, always vile and always abhorrent. Many tributes referenced gun violence while pushing back against disturbing comments insinuating Kirk deserved his fate due to his views on gun rights.
Julia Pierce, a long-time member of Kirk's organization, remarked that Kirk would be remembered for giving young conservatives the confidence to express their beliefs. He made it cool to be a Trump supporter and to wear the MAGA hat. However, opinions on his legacy remain deeply divided.
The aftermath of Kirk's death has ignited debates on the appropriateness of political violence and the challenges of expressing divergent views in a hyper-polarized climate.
