Charlie Kirk, activist aligned with Trump, fatally shot during event at Utah University
Suspect in ‘political assassination’ still at large, authorities say
Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative activist and close ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, was shot and killed during a university event in Utah in what authorities are calling a targeted political assassination.
Utah authorities confirmed that Kirk was struck by a single shot while addressing a crowd at Utah Valley University, about 40 miles south of Salt Lake City. Video footage circulating online shows him collapsing after clutching his neck as panicked attendees fled. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic and horrifying.
Governor Spencer Cox denounced the attack as a “political assassination,” calling it a dark day for both Utah and the nation. He praised Kirk as a husband, father, and outspoken advocate of free speech and debate.
Law enforcement officials said the suspected shooter, dressed in dark clothing, may have fired from a rooftop and remains at large. The FBI confirmed that a person briefly detained was released after questioning, and investigations are ongoing.
The assassination drew bipartisan condemnation. former President Joe Biden and former President Barack Obama both issued statements rejecting political violence. California Governor Gavin Newsom called the attack “disgusting, vile, and reprehensible.”
Kirk, cofounder of the conservative youth group Turning Point USA, was widely regarded as a rising star among young Republicans. His campus events, often marked by fiery exchanges with ideological opponents, made him a polarizing but influential figure.
His visit to Utah had already stirred controversy, with petitions opposing his appearance. Just moments before the shooting, Kirk had been discussing gun violence with an audience member.
Founded in 2012, Turning Point USA quickly grew into a major conservative force, backed by wealthy donors and aligned closely with Trump’s populist brand of politics. Kirk, once a traditional Republican, had become one of Trump’s staunchest defenders, playing a key role in rallying youth support during recent elections.
In an interview days before his death, Kirk voiced concerns about growing political extremism, stressing his belief in family, faith, and conservative values as an antidote to division.
Authorities continue to search for the gunman as tributes pour in from across the political spectrum for a man both admired and controversial, whose death underscores America’s deepening political divides.
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