Charlie Kirk , a conservative activist and close ally of American President Donald Trump , was shot and killed on Wednesday during a campus event in Utah, US. The state’s governor described it as a political assassination carried out from a rooftop.
Kirk, 31, was on the university campus in Orem for the first stop of his " American Comeback Tour ," where he planned to speak with students about conservative politics and take questions.
How assassination unfolded
He was speaking under a tent when he was hit in the neck by a bullet. He was taken to a hospital and later pronounced dead.
A person who had been detained was released after questioning, FBI director Kash Patel wrote on social media. Officials said the investigation is ongoing.
The attack was condemned across political lines. Trump ordered that American flags be lowered to half-staff until Sunday evening in Kirk’s honor.
Also read: 'Political assassination': Trump loyalist, right-wing activist, Charlie Kirk shot dead; key points
Trump announces Kirk’s death
Kirk’s death was first announced by Trump in a Truth Social post. Trump wrote: "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!"
Kirk's final words
Video from the event showed him seated under a white tent with a microphone in hand as he spoke to the audience. One attendee asked, "Do you know how many transgender Americans have been mass shooters over the last 10 years?" Kirk replied, "Too many." The same attendee then asked, "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?" Seconds later, a gunshot was fired.
One person arrested, then released
A man detained on Wednesday afternoon was released after being interviewed. FBI director Patel said the investigation continues. Utah governor Spencer Cox said at a news conference that no evidence suggested a second person was involved.
The man first detained at the scene, George Zinn, was ruled out as a suspect but charged with obstructing justice.
Shooting during campus event
Kirk had been speaking for about 20 minutes when he was shot shortly after noon local time, the university said. He was seated under a tent with the slogan "The American Comeback."
Videos showed him falling from his chair as blood flowed from his neck.
Shooter fired from building
A university spokesperson, quoted by New York Times, said the shot came from the Losee Center, a building more than 100 yards away.
Before the shooting, Kirk had been answering a question about transgender mass shooting suspects, attendee Andrew Piskadlo told The New York Times.
Cellphone videos showed people running and taking cover. Utah Valley University closed the campus and canceled classes until further notice.
Trump blasts 'radical left'
Donald Trump hailed his assassinated ally Charlie Kirk as a "martyr for truth" on Wednesday while assailing the "radical left," suggesting its rhetoric contributed to the death of the conservative activist.
"For years those on the radical left have compared wonderful Americans like Charlie to Nazis and the world's worst mass murderers and criminals," Trump said in a video posted on his Truth Social platform.
Also read: 'Won't spare ...': Trump blames 'radical left' for Charlie Kirk's killing; vows action
Who was Charlie Kirk
Kirk was a conservative activist who founded Turning Point USA (TPUSA) at age 18. The group built chapters at colleges and high schools across the country and attracted early support from Republican donors, including members of the Trump family.
He gained a following among young Republicans and was active on social media, podcasts, and books. Some of his posts drew criticism, including comments about Jewish, gay and Black people.
Kirk was married to Erika Kirk, a former Miss Arizona who hosts a podcast and runs a faith-themed clothing line. They lived in Scottsdale, Arizona, and had two children.
Kirk was part of Trump's inner circle
Kirk visited the White House more than 100 times during Trump’s first term, a report by The New York Times said. After Trump won re-election, Kirk was part of a small group that reviewed potential White House appointees for loyalty.
He was close to Donald Trump Jr. and attended a private party at Trump’s golf club in Virginia two days before the inauguration.
Alongside Turning Point USA, he launched Turning Point Faith, which the organization described as an effort to "eliminate wokeism from the American pulpit." He urged students to challenge professors he said promoted gender ideology.
Utah Valley University
Utah Valley University (UVU), where Charlie Kirk was shot and killed, is in Orem and is the state’s largest public university, according to its website.
The school was established in 1941 as a war production training vocational school. As of fall 2023, it had more than 46,800 enrolled students, along with about 16,700 high school students taking concurrent courses.
Following the shooting, UVU announced it will remain closed until next week.
University president Astrid Tuminez said the community was “shocked and saddened” by Kirk’s death. Kirk had been invited by students to speak on campus.
Kirk, 31, was on the university campus in Orem for the first stop of his " American Comeback Tour ," where he planned to speak with students about conservative politics and take questions.
How assassination unfolded
He was speaking under a tent when he was hit in the neck by a bullet. He was taken to a hospital and later pronounced dead.
A person who had been detained was released after questioning, FBI director Kash Patel wrote on social media. Officials said the investigation is ongoing.
The attack was condemned across political lines. Trump ordered that American flags be lowered to half-staff until Sunday evening in Kirk’s honor.
Also read: 'Political assassination': Trump loyalist, right-wing activist, Charlie Kirk shot dead; key points
Trump announces Kirk’s death
Kirk’s death was first announced by Trump in a Truth Social post. Trump wrote: "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!"
Kirk's final words
Video from the event showed him seated under a white tent with a microphone in hand as he spoke to the audience. One attendee asked, "Do you know how many transgender Americans have been mass shooters over the last 10 years?" Kirk replied, "Too many." The same attendee then asked, "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?" Seconds later, a gunshot was fired.
One person arrested, then released
A man detained on Wednesday afternoon was released after being interviewed. FBI director Patel said the investigation continues. Utah governor Spencer Cox said at a news conference that no evidence suggested a second person was involved.
The man first detained at the scene, George Zinn, was ruled out as a suspect but charged with obstructing justice.
Shooting during campus event
Kirk had been speaking for about 20 minutes when he was shot shortly after noon local time, the university said. He was seated under a tent with the slogan "The American Comeback."
Videos showed him falling from his chair as blood flowed from his neck.
Shooter fired from building
A university spokesperson, quoted by New York Times, said the shot came from the Losee Center, a building more than 100 yards away.
Before the shooting, Kirk had been answering a question about transgender mass shooting suspects, attendee Andrew Piskadlo told The New York Times.
Cellphone videos showed people running and taking cover. Utah Valley University closed the campus and canceled classes until further notice.
Trump blasts 'radical left'
Donald Trump hailed his assassinated ally Charlie Kirk as a "martyr for truth" on Wednesday while assailing the "radical left," suggesting its rhetoric contributed to the death of the conservative activist.
Donald J. Trump Truth Social Post 08:44 PM EST 09/10/25
— Fan Donald J. Trump Posts From Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) September 11, 2025
TO MY GREAT FELLOW AMERICANS… pic.twitter.com/EdT1aJWjP0
"For years those on the radical left have compared wonderful Americans like Charlie to Nazis and the world's worst mass murderers and criminals," Trump said in a video posted on his Truth Social platform.
Also read: 'Won't spare ...': Trump blames 'radical left' for Charlie Kirk's killing; vows action
Who was Charlie Kirk
Kirk was a conservative activist who founded Turning Point USA (TPUSA) at age 18. The group built chapters at colleges and high schools across the country and attracted early support from Republican donors, including members of the Trump family.
He gained a following among young Republicans and was active on social media, podcasts, and books. Some of his posts drew criticism, including comments about Jewish, gay and Black people.
Kirk was married to Erika Kirk, a former Miss Arizona who hosts a podcast and runs a faith-themed clothing line. They lived in Scottsdale, Arizona, and had two children.
Kirk was part of Trump's inner circle
Kirk visited the White House more than 100 times during Trump’s first term, a report by The New York Times said. After Trump won re-election, Kirk was part of a small group that reviewed potential White House appointees for loyalty.
He was close to Donald Trump Jr. and attended a private party at Trump’s golf club in Virginia two days before the inauguration.
Alongside Turning Point USA, he launched Turning Point Faith, which the organization described as an effort to "eliminate wokeism from the American pulpit." He urged students to challenge professors he said promoted gender ideology.
Utah Valley University
Utah Valley University (UVU), where Charlie Kirk was shot and killed, is in Orem and is the state’s largest public university, according to its website.
The school was established in 1941 as a war production training vocational school. As of fall 2023, it had more than 46,800 enrolled students, along with about 16,700 high school students taking concurrent courses.
Following the shooting, UVU announced it will remain closed until next week.
University president Astrid Tuminez said the community was “shocked and saddened” by Kirk’s death. Kirk had been invited by students to speak on campus.
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