Charlie Kirk, a close ally of US President Donald Trump, was fatally shot during the launch of his ‘America Comeback Tour’ at Utah Valley College in Orem on Wednesday.
The 31-year-old right-wing activist was gunned down while responding to a question about mass shootings in the United States. Trump later confirmed Kirk’s death in a post on Truth Social, despite medical efforts to save him.
The shooting has sparked outrage across the country and beyond, drawing sharp condemnation of political violence.
While authorities have not yet identified the shooter, questions swirl around how a pro-gun rights advocate was killed while addressing gun violence in America.
What happened?
Kirk had been speaking at Utah Valley University (UVU) on September 10, 2025, when a single shot struck him in the neck, about 20 minutes into his presentation.
Witness videos show Kirk reeling in his chair as blood appeared on his neck before the panicked crowd fled.
He was rushed to hospital but later pronounced dead, with Trump confirming the news.
A university spokeswoman revealed the fatal shot came from the Losee Center, a building 100–200 yards from the venue. It remains unclear if the shooter fired from a rooftop or an open window.
The campus was evacuated as law enforcement launched a manhunt. Kirk’s wife and two children, present at the scene, escaped unharmed.
Who is the suspect?
Utah officials confirmed that no arrests have been made. The Utah Department of Public Safety called it an “active investigation,” confirming joint efforts with the FBI and local police.
Who was Charlie Kirk?
Kirk rose to prominence at 18 after co-founding Turning Point USA (TPUSA), a conservative student group that later became the country’s largest youth conservative movement. Over the years, he became a central figure in the “Make America Great Again” network.
With over 5.3 million followers on X and a widely listened-to podcast, Kirk became one of Trump’s strongest allies, often credited with mobilizing young and minority voters during the 2024 campaign.
His outspoken defense of gun rights drew both loyalty and outrage. Following the 2023 Nashville school shooting, Kirk declared: “Having an armed citizenry comes with a price, and that is part of liberty… You could significantly reduce [gun deaths] through having more fathers in the home, by having more armed guards in front of schools.”
Kirk also stirred controversy with remarks about Islam, immigration, and race, including his claim that Europe was “a conquered continent” due to Islam and accusing Democrats of plotting “to eliminate the white population.”
Despite criticism, his influence in conservative politics remained strong. Kirk leaves behind his wife, Erika, a former Miss Arizona USA, and their two children.
How did Trump respond?
Trump called the killing a “dark, dark moment for America,” ordering flags flown at half-mast until Sunday. In a video from the White House, he mourned Kirk while blaming liberal rhetoric for fueling political violence.
“I am filled with grief and anger at the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk on a college campus in Utah,” Trump said. “Charlie inspired millions, and tonight, all who knew him and loved him are united in shock and horror.”
He accused the “radical left” of comparing “wonderful Americans like Charlie to Nazis,” calling such rhetoric “directly responsible for terrorism” in the US.
How have others responded?
Condemnations poured in across the political divide. Former US President Joe Biden said: “There is no place for this violence.”
Vice President Kamala Harris posted: “I condemn this act, and we all must work together to ensure this does not lead to more violence.”
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said free debate should never be silenced by violence, while Italy’s Giorgia Meloni called the killing an “atrocious murder” and Argentina’s Javier Milei praised Kirk as a defender of Western ideals.
