Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative activist and the CEO and co-founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed on September 10, 2025, during a public event at Utah Valley University (UVU) in Orem, Utah. The shocking assassination unfolded in broad daylight, sending a wave of grief, outrage, and renewed debate about political violence rippling across the United States and beyond.
The incident occurred at approximately 12:10 p.m. local time in the Sorensen Center courtyard, a bustling outdoor space on the UVU campus, about 40 miles south of Salt Lake City. Kirk, just 31 years old, was participating in a debate hosted by his nonprofit political organization, marking the first stop on his highly publicized "American Comeback Tour." The event, which had already stirred controversy and protest on campus, drew a crowd of over 3,000 people. Six university police officers and Kirk’s own security detail were present, underscoring both the scale and the tension of the gathering.
According to reports confirmed by The Associated Press and Wall Street Journal, Kirk was seated under a white tent emblazoned with the slogans “The American Comeback” and “Prove Me Wrong,” engaging with students in a spirited exchange about mass shootings and gun violence. The conversation took a pointed turn when an audience member asked, “Do you know how many transgender Americans have been mass shooters over the last 10 years?” Kirk replied, “Too many.” The questioner pressed further: “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?”
In the next moment, a single gunshot cracked through the air. Video footage circulating on social media shows Kirk clutching his neck as blood poured from a wound on the left side, before he collapsed from his chair. Panic erupted among attendees, many of whom ran for cover or fled the scene. Kirk’s wife and two young children, who were present, witnessed the tragedy unfold.
Authorities quickly determined that the fatal shot was fired from the roof of the Losee Center, a campus building 100 to 200 yards away from the event area. A bolt-action rifle, believed to be the murder weapon, was later found in nearby woods. Investigators discovered three unfired rounds inside, each engraved with expressions of transgender and antifascist ideology, as reported by the Wall Street Journal citing an internal law enforcement bulletin. The suspect, described as college-aged and dressed in all-dark clothing, remained at large as of Thursday, with authorities pledging to "track that individual" and urging the public for assistance if necessary.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox did not mince words, calling the killing a "political assassination." In a somber address, Cox stated, “This is a dark day for our state. It’s a tragic day for our nation. I want to be very clear this is a political assassination.” He pledged full accountability, noting that Utah has the death penalty for such crimes. The university immediately evacuated the campus, canceled all classes and events until September 14, and assured the public there was no ongoing threat.
The assassination drew swift and sweeping condemnation from across the political spectrum. President Donald Trump, a close ally of Kirk and frequent guest at Turning Point USA events, announced Kirk’s death on social media, describing him as “Great, and even Legendary.” In a video statement from the White House, Trump called Kirk a “martyr for truth and freedom” and placed blame on the rhetoric of the “radical left,” saying, “This kind of rhetoric is directly responsible for the terrorism that we are seeing in our country today, and it must stop right now.”
Other political leaders and public figures echoed the call for unity and denounced violence. Former President Joe Biden posted, “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.” Former Vice President Kamala Harris wrote, “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.” Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, First Lady Melania Trump, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis all issued statements of grief and anger, with DeSantis emphasizing, “We need a very quick death penalty prosecution. I don’t want to see this take forever. We need justice for this.”
International leaders also weighed in. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paid tribute to Kirk as a “lion-hearted friend of Israel,” recalling that he had invited Kirk to visit just two weeks earlier. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the killing “heartbreaking” and stressed the importance of free and open debate without fear. Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev and Brazilian politician Eduardo Bolsonaro also expressed condolences, while author Stephen King pointed to the incident as “another example of American gun violence.”
Kirk’s legacy as a conservative firebrand was well established. He co-founded Turning Point USA at 18, transforming it into the nation’s largest conservative youth movement. With 5.5 million followers on X (formerly Twitter), a widely listened-to podcast, and frequent appearances on Fox News, Kirk was a central figure in the “Make America Great Again” movement. His provocative style—often taking aim at gun laws, Black Americans, Gaza, and Islam—won him both passionate supporters and fierce critics. As The New York Times noted, Kirk never sought a role in government, preferring instead to “transform the culture.”
His controversial stances were never far from the headlines. Kirk was a vocal supporter of the Second Amendment, once stating, “It’s worth it to have a cost of, unfortunately, some gun deaths every single year, so that we can have the Second Amendment to protect our other God-given rights.” He criticized the Civil Rights and Black Lives Matter movements, questioned the existence of Palestine, and made inflammatory remarks about Islam. On abortion, he advocated for traditional gender roles and opposed abortion even in extreme circumstances.
Authorities are continuing their investigation, urging anyone with information to come forward. The UVU community, meanwhile, remains in shock, with the university issuing a statement: “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.” The campus will remain closed through September 14 as police continue their search for the shooter.
As America reels from yet another high-profile act of political violence, the debate over free speech, security, and the boundaries of political discourse is once again front and center. The assassination of Charlie Kirk has left a deep scar on the nation’s political landscape, underscoring the urgent need for dialogue, accountability, and a recommitment to peaceful engagement—no matter how fierce the ideological divide.
