Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, a prominent conservative youth activist organization, has died following a fatal shooting during an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday.
President Donald Trump confirmed the news on social media, stating, “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. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!”
Utah Governor Spencer Cox labeled the incident a “political assassination.”
The search for the suspected shooter continues, and an investigation is ongoing, according to FBI Director Kash Patel, who confirmed that agents are collaborating with state and local law enforcement.
The Utah Department of Public Safety initially took two individuals into custody after the incident but later released them. One was charged with obstruction by university police, while the other was detained briefly and released after questioning. Authorities confirmed that there is no current evidence linking either individual to the shooting.
A single shot was fired toward Kirk shortly after noon as he spoke at the Orem campus of Utah Valley University, leading to a chaos-filled scene.
After being hit, Kirk was quickly taken from the location by his security team and transported to a local hospital. Turning Point USA later announced his death, expressing their heartfelt condolences and asking for prayers for his family.
Commissioner Beau Mason of the Utah Department of Public Safety described the shooting as a “targeted attack,” emphasizing that the shooter fired from a considerable distance, potentially from a rooftop. CCTV footage showed the individual was dressed in dark clothing, and authorities reported that there is currently no sign that anyone else was involved in the incident.
Salt Lake City FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls stated during a press briefing that the investigation is still in its early stages, but they are diligently following leads and collecting evidence.
The shooting occurred during a widely attended campus event, which was the kickoff for Turning Point USA’s “The American Comeback Tour.” This tour is scheduled to stop at multiple college campuses throughout the country. Current plans include stops in places such as Colorado, Minneapolis, and Virginia.
Despite some controversy surrounding Kirk’s appearance at Utah Valley University—evidenced by a petition from students urging the school to cancel his event—law enforcement reported no credible threats prior to the shooting.
The campus itself was bustling with an estimated 3,000 attendees, supported by a police presence of six officers along with Kirk’s private security team. Jeff Long, the university’s police chief, stated during a press conference, “We trained for these things, and you think you have things covered, and these things, unfortunately, they happen.”
In the aftermath of the shooting, Utah Valley University has closed its campus and canceled classes indefinitely. University Vice President Val Peterson expressed condolences during a briefing, stating, “We are shocked and saddened by the tragic passing of Charlie Kirk. We express our sincere condolences to the Kirk family. We grieve with our students, faculty and staff who bore witness to this unspeakable tragedy.”
The event was organized by the Turning Point USA student group at the university, which Peterson noted is a venue for sharing ideas and engaging in respectful debate. He firmly stated that any attempt to infringe upon such rights is unacceptable and that the university does not condone violence at any level.
Orem Mayor Dave Young also expressed his devastation over the incident, stating, “This type of violence should never happen anywhere, let alone in our community. This is in direct opposition to our values, which include family, unity, respect and faith.”
Political leaders from across the spectrum have condemned the act. President Biden stated, “There is no place in our country for this kind of violence. It must end now,” while former Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro described the attack as horrifying and stressed that it cannot be allowed in society.
California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the violence as “disgusting, vile, and reprehensible,” urging a rejection of political violence in all forms. Republican Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo referred to the attack as heartbreaking and reiterated that violence has no place in American political discourse.
Trump has ordered that American flags be flown at half-staff through Sunday evening in honor of Kirk.
Kirk was known not just as a youth activist but also as a close ally of Trump, contributing significantly to the conservative movement and advocating for Trump’s policies.
He founded Turning Point USA in 2012, at just 18 years old, and quickly rose to prominence, particularly among younger conservative voters. Kirk’s influence was notably recognized during major events, as he was one of the youngest speakers at the 2016 Republican National Convention.
His dedication to conservative principles and motivating young Americans was highlighted in a statement from Republican National Committee Chairman Joe Gruters, who expressed heartbreak over Kirk’s loss and denounced the violence that claimed his life.
Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin characterized the incident as yet another act of targeted political violence, denouncing it outright and emphasizing that disagreement should never escalate into violence.
Kirk is survived by his wife, Erika, and their two young children, a three-year-old daughter and a one-year-old son. As a figure revered in right-wing circles, he was frequently seen as a key player in the next generation of conservative leadership.
An FBI investigation is underway, with agents urging anyone with information, photos, or videos from the tragic event to come forward.
As this story develops, the nation mourns the loss of a figure whose life was cut short in a tragic act of violence that has shocked both sides of the political spectrum.
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