Conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, Charlie Kirk, has died at the age of 31 after being shot during an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday, September 10, 2025.
His death was confirmed by U.S. President Donald Trump, who described him as “The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk.”
The shooting occurred around 12:10 p.m. local time during the opening stop of Kirk’s “American Comeback Tour.”
Witnesses said he was delivering remarks to students when a gunman fired from a building nearly 200 yards away.
Kirk collapsed on stage after being struck in the neck. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but did not survive.
The university was immediately placed on lockdown as law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, began investigations.
An initial suspect was detained and later released, while the search for the gunman continues.
Kirk, who founded Turning Point USA at 18, rose to prominence as a leading figure in conservative politics, mobilizing young voters and aligning closely with Donald Trump’s movement.
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His organization became influential on college campuses and in national politics, with Kirk known for his outspoken views and confrontational style.
He is survived by his wife, Erika Frantzve, a former Miss Arizona USA and podcast host, and their two children.
The killing has drawn widespread condemnation. Trump hailed Kirk as an “irreplaceable patriot,” while Utah Governor Spencer Cox vowed that those responsible would be held accountable.
Politicians across party lines described the attack as a grave threat to democracy and called for urgent steps to curb political violence.
Federal investigators are treating the case as a targeted attack. The incident has intensified concerns about the safety of political figures in the United States amid growing polarization and heightened tensions.