Conservative Activist Charlie Kirk Shot Dead At 31
Charlie Kirk, the outspoken conservative commentator and founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot on Wednesday while hosting an event at Utah Valley University. He was 31.
- President Donald Trump, a close ally and longtime friend of Kirk, confirmed his death in a social media post and vowed a strong response in a televised address later that evening.
Donald Trump announcing Charlie Kirk’s death. pic.twitter.com/8f1LXicnPw
— Pop Base (@PopBase) September 10, 2025
Calling Kirk “a martyr for truth and freedom,” Trump blamed the rhetoric of the “radical left” for fueling political violence and pledged to pursue “everyone who contributed to this atrocity.”
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Authorities said the shooter fled the scene after the attack. FBI Director Kash Patel initially announced a suspect had been taken into custody, but hours later confirmed the individual was released after questioning. Utah Governor Spencer Cox vowed justice, reminding reporters that the state still enforces the death penalty.
Video from the event showed Kirk addressing a packed audience when a gunshot struck him in the neck, throwing him backwards as chaos erupted. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but succumbed to his injuries. A father of two, Kirk leaves behind a wife and young children.
Flags at the White House were lowered to half-staff at 5:20 p.m. in his honour, with Trump ordering all U.S. flags nationwide to remain at half-mast until Sunday evening.
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Kirk was in Orem, Utah, for the launch of his “American Comeback Tour,” an initiative by Turning Point USA to rally students against what the group called “left-wing indoctrination” in universities. The appearance was contested by thousands of students who signed a petition opposing his visit.
Known for his combative campus debates and his “Prove Me Wrong” challenge sessions, Kirk built a massive online following, including millions of podcast listeners. His Charlie Kirk Show ranked among Apple’s top 10 political podcasts and helped amplify his influence within conservative politics.
Kirk’s final post on X just minutes before the shooting read: “WE. ARE. SO. BACK. Utah Valley University is FIRED UP and READY for the first stop back on the American Comeback Tour.”
