Conservative activist Charlie Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed on Wednesday while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem. The 31-year-old, known for his close connections to U.S. President Donald Trump and his influence among young conservative voters, had been addressing a crowd of about 3,000 people when a single gunshot struck him in the neck.
Law enforcement officials confirmed the fatal shot was fired from a rooftop overlooking the Sorensen Center courtyard, where Kirk had been answering a question on gun violence and mass shootings. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox described the attack as a political assassination, calling it “a dark day” for both the state and the nation. Authorities have detained and released two individuals but continue to search for a person of interest connected to the incident.
Video footage shared online captured the moment Kirk collapsed as spectators screamed and rushed for safety. University police and Kirk’s private security team were on site, but witnesses reported that the level of protection felt minimal for an event of its size. Former congressman Jason Chaffetz, who attended the gathering, described the shooting as sudden and unexpected.
Trump quickly acknowledged Kirk’s death, praising him as a “martyr for truth and freedom” in a recorded statement. Flags were ordered to half-staff, and the president issued a proclamation honoring the activist’s role in galvanizing younger voters. Leaders from both major parties condemned the shooting, with Democratic officials stressing that political disagreements should never escalate into violence.
Turning Point USA, founded in 2012 by Kirk and activist Bill Montgomery, initially functioned as a campus-based organization advocating limited government and low taxes. Although it had a slow growth during its early years, the group expanded rapidly after aligning with Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign. Kirk became a regular media presence, known for viral confrontations over issues like abortion, climate change, and Second Amendment rights.
The Utah event was the opening stop of Kirk’s “American Comeback Tour,” featuring his trademark “Prove Me Wrong” debates with students. His sudden death adds to a series of recent acts of political violence in the United States, including attacks targeting officials across party lines.
Kirk is survived by his wife, Erika Frantzve, and their two young children. A $100,000 reward has been announced for information connected to the assassin.
