Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA and a prominent conservative activist, was killed in a shooting at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025.
Witnesses say Kirk was speaking at a campus event, part of his “American Comeback Tour,” when he was struck in the neck by gunfire. Authorities later confirmed the weapon used was a bolt-action rifle.
Former President Donald Trump, a close ally of Kirk, confirmed the news on his social media platform, writing: “The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead.” Turning Point USA also issued a statement mourning its founder, praising him as a tireless advocate for conservative values.
The shooting sparked chaos on campus, prompting lockdowns and a large-scale manhunt. Police initially detained two suspects but later released them after determining they were not involved. The search for the gunman is ongoing, and officials have not announced a motive.
Utah’s governor described the attack as a “political assassination,” while national leaders across the political spectrum offered condolences and condemned the violence.
Kirk, who rose to prominence as a young conservative voice, leaves behind a legacy of activism that reshaped the Republican grassroots movement over the past decade.
