Orem, Utah — Charlie Kirk, a high-profile conservative activist and close ally of former President Donald Trump, was shot and killed Wednesday afternoon while speaking at a Utah Valley University event in what authorities are calling a “political assassination.”
The fatal shooting unfolded in broad daylight at the university’s Sorensen Center courtyard, where Kirk, 31, was hosting the kickoff event of his “American Comeback Tour.” Utah Governor Spencer Cox called the assassination “a dark day for our state” and pledged justice for what he unequivocally labeled a politically motivated killing.
“This is a tragic day for our nation. I want to be very clear: this was a political assassination,” Cox said during an emergency press conference Wednesday evening.
SHOT FROM A DISTANCE
According to authorities, Kirk was shot once from a nearby rooftop by a person dressed in dark clothing. The shooter remains unidentified, and confusion shrouds the status of the investigation.
While FBI Director Kash Patel initially stated a “subject” had been taken into custody, he later clarified that the individual was released following questioning. Utah officials separately reported a person of interest had been detained, but did not confirm if it was the same individual. No charges have been filed, and no motive has been officially released.
Authorities are continuing to pursue leads, with armed officers canvassing the surrounding neighborhood, showing residents a photo of a possible suspect.
TRAGIC SCENE CAUGHT ON VIDEO
Grim footage shared on social media — verified by the Associated Press — shows Kirk answering a question from an audience member under a white event tent. As he responds, a gunshot rings out. Kirk grabs his neck as blood spurts from a wound on his left side. Spectators scream and scatter as panic erupts.
Kirk had just been responding to a question about gun violence and mass shootings. Moments before the shooting, an attendee asked:
“Do you know how many transgender Americans have been mass shooters over the last 10 years?”
Kirk replied, “Too many.”
The questioner continued: “Do you know how many mass shooters there have been in America over the last 10 years?”
Kirk responded, “Counting or not counting gang violence?”
Then came the fatal shot.
NATIONAL OUTRAGE, BI-PARTISAN CONDEMNATION
Former President Donald Trump confirmed Kirk’s death on his Truth Social platform, calling him a “Great, and even Legendary” patriot who “had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America.”
Trump ordered American flags flown at half-staff and issued a presidential proclamation honoring Kirk’s legacy. Democratic leaders, including California Governor Gavin Newsom and former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, also condemned the shooting in strong terms.
“The attack on Charlie Kirk is disgusting, vile, and reprehensible,” Newsom posted. Giffords, a victim of political violence herself, wrote, “The murder of Charlie Kirk breaks my heart. My deepest sympathies are with his wife, two young children, and friends.”
The shooting is the latest in a disturbing series of politically motivated attacks across the U.S. in recent years. These include the June murder of a Minnesota state lawmaker and her husband, the attempted assassination of Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania rally in 2024, and other politically charged incidents targeting public figures across the ideological spectrum.
SECURITY UNDER SCRUTINY
Former Congressman Jason Chaffetz, who attended Wednesday’s event, told Fox News that the shooting “seemed like it was a close shot,” and lamented the limited security presence. “Utah is one of the safest places on the planet. And so we just don’t have these types of things,” he said, visibly shaken.
Chaffetz confirmed that Kirk had private security but noted it was insufficient for a venue of that size and nature. “This was a soft target,” he said.
POLARIZING FIGURE, RISING INFLUENCE
Charlie Kirk rose to national prominence as the founder and CEO of Turning Point USA, a nonprofit conservative youth organization he co-founded in 2012 at age 18. Originally focused on low taxes and limited government, the group became a force in right-wing politics, particularly on college campuses.
Kirk’s firebrand rhetoric and aggressive style drew both admiration and criticism, particularly from younger audiences. He was a frequent guest on conservative media and served as a close advisor to Donald Trump Jr. during the 2016 election.
His appearance at UVU had sparked heated debate on campus. An online petition calling on the university to cancel his appearance garnered nearly 1,000 signatures. The school defended its decision, citing the First Amendment and its commitment to free speech.
UNIVERSITY CLOSED, INVESTIGATION ONGOING
Utah Valley University immediately evacuated the campus following the shooting. Classes have been suspended indefinitely, and students were asked to shelter in place until escorted by police.
As of Thursday morning, the shooter remains at large, and the campus is under heavy security. Investigators have not named any suspects publicly but continue to pursue leads.
“This was an act meant to silence — not to argue, not to protest, but to assassinate,” Governor Cox said. “We will not let political violence become the norm in America.”
