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Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA who rose to prominence as one of President Donald Trump’s closest political allies, was shot and killed while speaking at Utah Valley University. He was 31.
The shooting occurred at about 12:10 p.m. during a Turning Point USA debate on the Orem campus, according to university officials. A gunman fired from a building roughly 200 yards away, striking Kirk in the neck shortly after the event began. The activist was rushed to a hospital in critical condition and later pronounced dead, authorities said.
Kirk’s wife, Erika, and the couple’s two children were in attendance when the shooting took place. Cellphone videos recorded by students spread quickly on social media, showing panic as attendees rushed for cover.
Police initially detained an older man in connection with the incident, but he was released after investigators determined he was not the shooter. As of late Wednesday, no suspect had been identified and no motive disclosed. Local authorities, with assistance from federal agencies, are leading the investigation.
President Trump, who appointed Kirk earlier this year to the U.S. Air Force Academy Board of Visitors, confirmed Kirk’s death in a statement on Truth Social.
“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie,” Trump wrote. “He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now he is no longer with us.”
The shooting comes amid a rise in political violence in the United States in recent years, targeting figures across the political spectrum. UVU had faced criticism for hosting Kirk’s appearance. Nearly 1,000 people signed an online petition asking administrators to cancel the event. The university defended its decision, citing First Amendment rights and its commitment to free speech and constructive dialogue.
Kirk was born in Arlington Heights, Illinois, and grew up in the Chicago suburbs. While in high school, he volunteered for Republican campaigns and spoke out against local school policies. He briefly attended Harper College before dropping out to pursue activism full-time.
In 2012, at just 18 years old, Kirk founded Turning Point USA, which became one of the most visible conservative student groups in the country. With significant backing from donors, TPUSA built a nationwide presence on college campuses, championing limited government and free markets while clashing with progressive student groups.
Kirk expanded his influence with the creation of Turning Point Action, a political advocacy group, and Turning Point Faith, aimed at mobilizing religious communities. He also hosted The Charlie Kirk Show, a conservative talk radio and podcast program with a national audience.
A vocal supporter of Trump, Kirk promoted many of the president’s policies and political positions. He was an outspoken critic of critical race theory, vaccine mandates, and climate change science. He also spread misinformation, including false claims about the 2020 presidential election and the COVID-19 pandemic, which drew condemnation from public health officials and fact-checkers.
Kirk played a role in the events surrounding the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. His organization arranged buses to transport students to Washington, D.C., for Trump’s rally ahead of the riot. He later condemned the violence but maintained close ties to Trump and his allies.
Despite criticism, Kirk remained a prominent figure on the right, seen as a rising star in conservative politics and a key bridge between the Republican Party and younger voters. He was also a member of the Council for National Policy, a secretive network of conservative activists and donors, and was appointed by Trump to advisory positions during and after his presidency.
His influence extended into business as well. Kirk was an early investor in 1789 Capital, a venture fund created to promote conservative-aligned companies. Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., joined the firm in 2024 following Trump’s reelection.
In the months leading up to his death, Kirk was on a national speaking circuit branded the “American Comeback Tour,” which he described as an effort to engage Gen Z voters and galvanize support for Trump’s agenda.
Reactions to Kirk’s death poured in from across the political spectrum. Supporters praised his energy, organizational skills, and commitment to conservative principles.
The investigation into the Utah Valley University shooting remains ongoing.
