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Charlie Kirk, founder of the conservative youth group Turning Point USA and a close ally of former President Donald Trump, was shot and killed Wednesday during a campus event at Utah Valley University. He was 31.
Authorities said a single shot was fired around noon as Kirk addressed an audience of more than 3,000 people during the launch of his group’s “American Comeback Tour.” He was rushed from the scene by security and taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox called the killing a “political assassination” and vowed those responsible would be held accountable. Investigators said CCTV captured a person dressed in all black firing from a distance, possibly from a rooftop. The suspect remains at large.
The FBI and state authorities are leading the manhunt. Two people detained for questioning were later released, one on unrelated obstruction charges. Officials urged the public to share photos or videos from the scene.
Witnesses described panic after the gunfire. “We thought it was confetti at first,” said student Luke Pitman. “Then everyone started ducking, and I saw blood coming from his neck.”
The university closed campus and canceled classes. “Any attempt to infringe on free speech has no place here,” UVU Vice President Val Peterson said.
JUST IN: Video shows Charlie Kirk at Utah college event moments before he was shot pic.twitter.com/njZYnaWv9J
— Fox News (@FoxNews) September 10, 2025
National reaction
Trump confirmed Kirk’s death on social media, calling him “the great and even legendary” voice of America’s youth. “No one understood the heart of the youth better than Charlie,” Trump wrote. He later ordered U.S. flags lowered to half-staff through Sunday.
President Joe Biden also condemned the attack, saying, “There is no place in our country for this kind of violence. It must end now.” Leaders from both parties, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo, also denounced the shooting.
A rising star
Kirk founded Turning Point USA in 2012 at age 18, growing it into a powerful conservative youth movement. Known as the “Trump whisperer,” he was a fixture at Republican National Conventions and helped connect Trump’s campaign with young voters.
Kirk is survived by his wife, Erika, and their two young children.
“Charlie Kirk was a father, husband and dedicated patriot,” Republican National Committee Chairman Joe Gruters said. “Republicans and Democrats alike must stand united in condemning this brutality.”
*Source: ABC News
