Inside the White House as officials learned about Charlie Kirk's death

White House aides — many of whom had personal connections to the conservative activist — were deeply shaken as news broke about the shooting.

WASHINGTON — “In shock.”

“Just sick.”

“Devastated.”

Those were the initial reactions of White House officials who watched as reports started to flood in that conservative activist Charlie Kirk had been shot at an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday afternoon.

Aides briefed President Donald Trump in real time as events unfolded, meeting with his team in the Oval Office as other officials monitored developments from the Situation Room.