On September 10, 2025, conservative activist and Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk, aged 31, was fatally shot during a speaking event at Utah Valley University (UVU) in Orem, Utah.
The incident occurred around 12:20 p.m. local time during a Q&A session at an outdoor event dubbed the “American Comeback Tour,” part of Kirk’s initiative to engage college students in conservative political discourse.
According to multiple eyewitness accounts and video footage, Kirk was addressing a crowd under a white tent marked with the slogans “The American Comeback” and “Prove Me Wrong.”
He was responding to a question about mass shootings and transgender shooters when a single gunshot rang out. Witnesses reported that Kirk was struck in the neck, causing him to collapse immediately with significant blood loss.
The crowd scattered in panic, and Kirk was quickly removed from the scene by his security team and rushed to a hospital in critical condition. Despite medical efforts, he succumbed to his injuries.
President Donald Trump announced Kirk’s death on Truth Social, describing him as “The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk” and praising his influence on American youth.
Trump expressed condolences to Kirk’s wife, Erika, and their two children, emphasizing Kirk’s role as a key ally in mobilizing young conservative voters.
Turning Point USA also confirmed his death in a statement to supporters, noting that Kirk had “gone to his eternal reward with Jesus Christ in Heaven.”
The shooting took place at an outdoor amphitheater with approximately 1,000 attendees. Initial reports from UVU suggested a suspect was in custody, but authorities later clarified that the individual detained—a man described by some witnesses as an elderly person in a worker’s uniform—was not the shooter.
As of the latest updates, the suspect remains at large, with local, state, and federal law enforcement, including the FBI, actively searching for the perpetrator.
The university reported that the shot was fired from approximately 200 yards away, possibly from a campus building, and police are conducting a building-by-building search to ensure safety and locate the shooter.
The event was part of Kirk’s “Prove Me Wrong” debate series, known for its provocative style and for drawing both supporters and critics. An online petition with nearly 1,000 signatures had urged UVU to cancel Kirk’s appearance, citing concerns over his controversial views, but the university upheld its commitment to free speech.
The shooting has been widely condemned across the political spectrum, with figures like House Speaker Mike Johnson, Vice President JD Vance, and Democratic governors Gavin Newsom, Josh Shapiro, and Wes Moore denouncing the act as political violence.
Newsom called it “disgusting, vile, and reprehensible,” while Shapiro emphasized that “political violence has no place in our country.”
The incident is part of a broader wave of political violence in the U.S., with sources noting recent attacks such as the assassination of a Minnesota state lawmaker, a firebombing in Colorado, and an arson attack on the Pennsylvania governor’s home.
Kirk’s shooting has intensified discussions about the safety of public figures and the polarization fueling such acts.
Former Utah congressman Jason Chaffetz, present at the event, described a light police presence, noting that Utah is typically considered a safe state, which may have contributed to minimal security measures.
Kirk, who founded Turning Point USA at 18, was a prominent figure in conservative politics, known for his podcast, “The Charlie Kirk Show,” and his role in mobilizing Gen Z voters for Trump’s 2024 campaign.
His death has left a significant void in the conservative movement, with tributes highlighting his charisma and influence. The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities urging anyone with information to come forward
