Donald Trump Jr. has released an emotional statement following the assassination of the conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, describing him as like a "little brother."

Kirk, 31, the founder of the right-leaning youth organization Turning Point USA and a longtime ally of President Donald Trump, was delivering a speech on Wednesday under a campus tent in Orem, Utah, when a gunshot struck him in the neck. He collapsed, was rushed to a local hospital and later pronounced dead.

In a post on X, Trump Jr. wrote: "This isn't my strong suit and I don't even know how to begin to put into words the loss I am feeling right now over the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Charlie wasn't just a friend -- he was like a little brother to me -- and to millions of people around the world, he was a true inspiration.

"He was one of the most courageous, principled men I've ever known, and he lived every day with purpose. His faith in God was unshakable, his love for Erika was inspiring, and the way he adored and cared for his two beautiful kids showed the kind of man he truly was."

President Trump also paid tribute to Kirk as "a truly Great American Patriot," and said he had ordered U.S. flags to be lowered to half-staff until Sunday.