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Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist and close ally of President Donald Trump, was shot and killed Wednesday during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University, officials confirmed. He was 31.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox called the killing a “political assassination” at an evening press conference, describing the shooting as a national tragedy.
“This is a dark day for our state. It’s a tragic day for our nation,” Cox said. He added that investigators were questioning a person of interest, though it was not the same individual briefly detained earlier in the day. Authorities said they do not believe more than one person was involved.
The Shooting
Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason said a single shot rang out around 12:20 p.m. local time as Kirk was addressing a crowd of roughly 3,000 people at an outdoor campus event.
The shot appeared to come from long range, potentially from a rooftop. The suspected gunman was described as wearing “all dark clothing.” Authorities are reviewing security footage to track movements before and after the shooting.
Kirk was rushed to a hospital, where he later died of his injuries.
UVU Police Chief Jeff Long said six campus police officers were assigned to the event, including some in plainclothes. Kirk was also accompanied by private security, and the university had coordinated with his team in advance.
National Reaction
In a statement, Turning Point USA confirmed Kirk’s death.
“It is with a heavy heart that we confirm that Charles James Kirk has been murdered by a gunshot that took place during Turning Point USA’s ‘The American Comeback Tour’ campus event,” the group said.
President Donald Trump, who frequently appeared alongside Kirk at rallies and praised his efforts to mobilize conservative youth, mourned his death online.
“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Trump later ordered all U.S. flags to be lowered to half-staff until Sunday evening in Kirk’s honor.
A Rising Conservative Figure
Kirk co-founded Turning Point USA in 2012, building it into one of the largest conservative student organizations in the country. Known for his combative debates on college campuses, Kirk gained influence as a youth organizer and close ally of Trump.
The Utah event marked the first stop of Turning Point’s planned “American Comeback Tour,” with 15 appearances scheduled on college campuses nationwide.
Kirk’s appearances often drew large crowds — and frequent protests — reflecting his polarizing role in American politics.
Campus in Mourning
Utah Valley University announced that all campuses will remain closed through Sunday, Sept. 14.
“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 university said in a statement. “As we grieve with our students, faculty, and staff who bore witness to this unspeakable tragedy, UVU campuses will be closed from September 11–14.”
Video circulating on social media appears to show Kirk onstage holding a microphone when a shot is fired. He grabs his neck and collapses from his chair as the crowd erupts in chaos. Authorities have not confirmed the authenticity of the footage.
Investigation Ongoing
Law enforcement agencies from across Utah, including federal partners, are now investigating. Authorities did not release the identity of the person of interest but stressed that there was no ongoing threat to the community.
“This investigation is moving quickly, but we want to be thorough,” Commissioner Mason said. “We are determined to bring justice for Charlie Kirk, his family, and everyone affected by this horrific act.”
