Charlie Kirk, a well-known conservative activist in the United States and staunch ally of President Donald Trump, was shot dead at an event at Utah Valley University (UVU) on Wednesday.
Video of the incident circulating on social media showed Kirk speaking to a large outdoor crowd when a loud crack, a gunshot, rang out.
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Kirk briefly clutched his neck before collapsing from his chair, sending attendees fleeing. He was 31 years old.
Here is what we know:
What happened?
Kirk was on a speaking tour, and his stop at UVU was the first of at least 15 scheduled events at universities around the country as part of his “American Comeback Tour”.
Before the shooting, he was seated at his “Prove Me Wrong” debating table, taking questions from an audience outdoors.
Videos show that Kirk was going back and forth with a student about mass shootings and transgender people when he was shot.
“Do you know how many transgender Americans have been mass shooters over the last 10 years?” Kirk was asked.
“Too many,” Kirk responded as the crowd clapped.
“Do you know how many mass shooters there have been in America over the last 10 years?” To which Kirk replied, “Counting or not counting gang violence?”
Seconds later, Kirk could be seen struck in the neck as he fell from his chair.
The scene after US right-wing activist and commentator Charlie Kirk was shot at a Utah Valley University event in Orem on September 10, 2025 [Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune via Reuters]
According to reports, Kirk was shot about 20 minutes after he began speaking at approximately 12:10pm (18:10 GMT).
In footage from the event, Kirk can be seen moving his hand towards his neck as he falls from his chair, sending the attendees running. In another clip, blood can be seen gushing from his neck immediately after he was shot.
No one else was shot during the event.
Kirk’s wife and children were present during the incident.
Charlie Kirk at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, the US, in July 2024 [Josh Rushing/Al Jazeera]Where did the shooting happen?
The shooting took place in the UVU courtyard, about 64km (40 miles) south of Salt Lake City.
A spokeswoman for the university said Kirk was shot from the roof of the school’s Losee Center, a campus building 100-200 yards (roughly 90-180 metres) from the event area.
It was not clear whether the shot was fired from a rooftop or an open window.
Founded in 1941 as a vocational school for war production training, UVU enrolled more than 46,800 students in 2023.
Who was Charlie Kirk?
Kirk was one of the most prominent conservative activists and media personalities in the US, and a trusted ally of President Trump.
He cofounded Turning Point USA, a nonprofit conservative advocacy group, when he was just 18.
Kirk’s group grew into the country’s largest conservative youth movement, and over the years, he became a central player in a network of pro-Trump influencers, often described as the face of the “Make America Great Again” movement.
Trump often credited Kirk with bringing many young voters and voters of colour over to his side during the 2024 presidential campaign.
He was also a sharp critic of mainstream media and threw himself into culture-war battles over race, gender and immigration.
His provocative style won him a loyal support base but also fierce opposition.
Cofounder and president of Turning Point, Charlie Kirk, speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference [File: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters]
Kirk became a close friend of the president’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr, and the two travelled together to Greenland in January. He also emerged as an early supporter of Vice President JD Vance as Trump was deciding whether the senator would be his running mate.
Kirk had 5.5 million followers on the platform X and hosted The Charlie Kirk Show, a podcast and radio programme that reached more than 500,000 listeners each month. He made regular appearances on Fox News, including a recent guest cohosting slot on Fox & Friends.
According to a report by The New York Times, Kirk never pursued a role within the administration. His aim was to reshape the Republican Party and, more broadly, US politics.
“We want to transform the culture,” he told The New York Times Magazine in February.
Kirk also built a fortune through his popular podcast, frequent speaking engagements and books, including his 2020 bestseller, The MAGA Doctrine.
On social media, he posted constantly, offering a right-wing perspective on a plethora of issues.
In response to the fatal, unprovoked stabbing of a white woman by a Black man, Kirk posted this on X on Tuesday:
Will Cain is 100% right.
We have been propagandized by liars and fakers in the media to believe that America is a vicious, racist country and indiscriminate attacks on black people by whites happen all the time.
But the numbers tell the truth. Black attacks on white people… pic.twitter.com/SHmlxAIhds
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) September 9, 2025
What do we know about the shooter?
There was confusion about whether a suspect was in custody.
A “person of interest” was in custody on Wednesday evening, Utah Governor Spencer Cox said, though no charges were immediately announced.
Later, Utah police said two people had been considered suspects, but they were released after officials found they had no links to the shooting.
Beau Mason, the head of the Utah Department of Public Safety, said a suspect was described as being dressed in all-dark clothing.
He said one shot was fired in the fatal attack.
Six officers were working the event, and there were more than 3,000 people in attendance, according to Jeff Long, chief of the UVU police.
Kirk also had a private security team with him.
“This is a dark day for our state. It’s a tragic day for our nation,” Utah Governor Cox said.
“I want to be very clear that this is a political assassination.”
What’s the latest on the ground?
Currently, the campus is closed, according to the university, and it will remain closed until September 14.
“On behalf of Utah Valley University, we are shocked and saddened by the tragic passing of Charlie Kirk, a guest to our campus. Our hearts go out to his family,” UVU said.
UVU said while an investigation is ongoing, there is no continuing threat to the campus.
UVU campuses will be closed from September 11-14.
All classes (in-person or virtual), campus events, and administrative operations will be suspended during this time. Please plan accordingly and make any necessary adjustments to your schedules. https://t.co/uN7H8s0EFE
— UVU (@UVU) September 11, 2025
How has Trump responded?
The US president described the killing as a “dark, dark, moment for America”. He ordered all American flags to be lowered to half-staff until Sunday evening, in honour of Kirk.
Trump also recorded a video from the White House that was both an ode to Kirk and an angry criticism of liberals, whose rhetoric he blamed for Kirk’s assassination.
“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. Charlie was a patriot who devoted his life to open debate and the country he loved so much, the United States of America.”
Trump said it was “long past time for all Americans and the media to confront the fact that violence and murder are the tragic consequence of demonising those with whom you disagree day after day, year after year, in the most despicable way possible”.
He accused the “radical left” of comparing “wonderful Americans like Charlie to Nazis and the world’s worst mass murderers and criminals”.
“This kind of rhetoric is directly responsible for the terrorism that we are seeing in our country today, and it must stop right now.”
President Trump shares a message on the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
“I ask all Americans to commit themselves to the American values for which Charlie Kirk lived & died. The values of free speech, citizenship, the rule of law & the patriotic devotion & love of God.” pic.twitter.com/3fBSgs4Zxa
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) September 11, 2025
How have others responded?
Democrats and Republicans quickly denounced the shooting on social media and in Congress.
“There is no place” for this violence, former US President Joe Biden said on X.
There is no place in our country for this kind of violence. It must end now. Jill and I are praying for Charlie Kirk’s family and loved ones.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) September 10, 2025
Former Vice President Kamala Harris in a post on X, wrote: “I condemn this act, and we all must work together to ensure this does not lead to more violence.”
I am deeply disturbed by the shooting in Utah. Doug and I send our prayers to Charlie Kirk and his family.
Let me be clear: Political violence has no place in America. I condemn this act, and we all must work together to ensure this does not lead to more violence.
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) September 10, 2025
Vice President JD Vance reacted:
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord. pic.twitter.com/lYLEjv40bN
— JD Vance (@JDVance) September 10, 2025
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, speaking to US troops on Wednesday, hailed Kirk as a “dear friend”.
A prayer for Charlie Kirk and those who serve. pic.twitter.com/wWkEEvheRm
— Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) September 11, 2025
First Lady Melania Trump also paid tribute to Kirk.
Charlie’s children will be raised with stories instead of memories, photographs instead of laughter, and silence where their father’s voice should have echoed.
Charlie Kirk’s life should serve as a symbolic reminder that compassionate awareness elevates family, love, and…
— First Lady Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) September 11, 2025
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said in a Fox News interview that the shooter should face the death penalty.
“I’m very angry,” DeSantis said.
“Obviously, they’ve got to catch this guy. We need a very quick death penalty prosecution. I don’t want to see this take forever. We need justice for this,” he said.
I joined Jesse Watters to reflect on the legacy of Charlie Kirk and to express my anger about his assassination. pic.twitter.com/hn9VAZNImm
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) September 11, 2025
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had invited Kirk to Israel just two weeks earlier, describing the 31-year-old as a “lion-hearted friend of Israel”.
Charlie Kirk was murdered for speaking truth and defending freedom. A lion-hearted friend of Israel, he fought the lies and stood tall for Judeo-Christian civilization. I spoke to him only two weeks ago and invited him to Israel. Sadly, that visit will not take place.
We lost an…
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) September 10, 2025
Kirill Dmitriev, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s investment envoy, posted on Telegram: “There was an attack on Charlie Kirk, one of the most ardent conservative leaders known for his positive statements about Russia and his calls for dialogue.”
Barack Obama, former US president, said “despicable violence has no place in our democracy”.
We don’t yet know what motivated the person who shot and killed Charlie Kirk, but this kind of despicable violence has no place in our democracy. Michelle and I will be praying for Charlie’s family tonight, especially his wife Erika and their two young children.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) September 10, 2025
Former US President Bill Clinton said on X he was “saddened and angered” by the killing.
I’m saddened and angered by Charlie Kirk’s murder. And I hope we all go through some serious introspection and redouble our efforts to engage in debate passionately, yet peacefully. Hillary and I are keeping Erika, their two young children, and their family in our prayers.
— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) September 10, 2025
Bernie Sanders, former US presidential candidate and Vermont senator, said on X that “political violence has no place” in America.
Political violence has no place in this country. We must condemn this horrifying attack.
My thoughts are with Charlie Kirk and his family.
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) September 10, 2025
George Bush, former US president, also condemned the killing in a post on X, saying: “Violence and vitriol must be purged from the public square.”
Statement by President George W. Bush:
“Today, a young man was murdered in cold blood while expressing his political views. It happened on a college campus, where the open exchange of opposing ideas should be sacrosanct. Violence and vitriol must be purged from the public…
— George W. Bush Presidential Center (@TheBushCenter) September 10, 2025
Turning Point also posted on X:
— Turning Point USA (@TPUSA) September 10, 2025
Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned what he called “political violence” and commiserated with Kirk’s family in a post on X.
My thoughts this evening are with the loved ones of Charlie Kirk.
It is heartbreaking that a young family has been robbed of a father and a husband.
We must all be free to debate openly and freely without fear – there can be no justification for political violence.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) September 10, 2025
American author Stephen King said Kirk’s assassination was “another example of American gun violence”.
The motivation of the man who shot Charlie Kirk isn’t clear (although he’s probably mentally unstable–duh). What is clear is it was another example of American gun violence.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) September 10, 2025
Eduardo Bolsonaro, son of former Brazillian president Jair Bolsonaro, similarly denounced Kirk’s assassination in a series of X posts.
“I had the honor of accompanying him in his work and know the greatness of his mission. Another conservative victim of hate and intolerance,” Bolsonaro wrote.
Dean Withers, an American livestreamer and liberal political commentator, who was often seen on the opposite end of Kirk during debates on political YouTube channels, said in a TikTok video: “I’m sad, distraught. In fact, I just cried in front of my livestream in front of 250,000 people.”
“[Gun violence] is always disgusting, always vile and always abhorrent,” he added. “My thoughts and prayers go out to Charlie Kirk’s friends, family, children, loved ones, as well as every single person in attendance at his event today in Utah.”