US right-wing activist and commentator Charlie Kirk, a powerful supporter of President Donald Trump, was shot in the neck on Wednesday during an appearance at a Utah university, Trump announced.
Kirk, 31, had a disproportionate effect on US politics, assisting the growth of Trump’s popularity among young voters – one of the primary reasons behind the Republican’s return to the White House last year.
Charlie Kirk, CEO and co-founder of the conservative campus group Turning Point USA, was killed Wednesday at a gathering on a Utah college, officials stated.
US President Donald Trump announced Kirk was shot and murdered while he was giving a speech at Utah Valley University. The shooting elicited rapid response from top political leaders, some of whom are victims of politically motivated violence.
Videos released on social media depict Kirk standing and speaking into a handheld microphone in the university’s Sorensen Center courtyard, standing beneath a white tent bearing the slogans, “The American Comeback” and “Prove Me Wrong.”
One shot is fired and Kirk raises his hand as there is a high amount of blood released from the left side of his neck. Horror-struck bystanders gasp and scream. A few people flee.
TO ALL MY WONDERFUL FELLOW AMERICANS… pic.twitter.com/oRsrE5TTHr
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 11, 2025
A “person of interest” was in custody Wednesday night, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox told reporters, but no charges were announced immediately. Later, the individual was released, FBI Director Kash Patel said.
The Great, and indeed Legendary, Charlie Kirk, has passed away. Nobody got it or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America more than Charlie,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“He was loved and respected by ALL, particularly me, and now he is gone. Melania and my Sympathies to his lovely wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!
Trump ally Charlie Kirk shot
Kirk was giving a talk at a gathering at Utah Valley University when the assault occurred.
Footage of the event depicted 31-year-old Kirk talking beneath a tent to a large gathering when the echo of a solitary shot could be heard.
The video depicted Kirk seeming to slump in his chair before the camera rapidly cut and the cacophony of chaos started to fill the crowd.
Today around 12:10 a shot was discharged at visiting speaker Charlie Kirk. He was struck and removed from the area by his security. Campus police is conducting an investigation, a suspect is in custody,” the university said in a statement on its social media.
A different university statement as reported by Fox News stated that the shot was fired from a great distance, although this could not immediately be confirmed.
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Shots were fired from a building roughly 200 yards from the speaker,” the statement read. “The victim was struck and was immediately removed by his security detail. Campus is closed for the remainder of the day.”
‘He fell back’
Former Rep. Jason Chaffetz of Utah, who was in attendance at the rally, explained to Fox News the shooting occurred during a question-and-answer period.
“First question was religious. He spoke for approximately 15-20 minutes. Second question, coincidentally enough, was transgender shooters, mass shooters, and during that, the shot was fired,” a shaken Chaffetz explained to the network.
“Now I was watching Charlie. I don’t know that I saw blood. I don’t know that I saw him get shot, but the moment that shot was fired, he fell backwards.”.
“Everyone got down on the deck, everyone… lots of people began screaming, and then everyone began running.”
Kirk played a disproportionate role in US politics, aiding the surge in Trump’s popularity among younger voters – one of the driving factors behind the Republican’s return to power last year.
By virtue of his native showmanship abilities, Kirk founded Turning Point USA in 2012 to fuel conservative perspective among youth, making him the point man spokesman on TV networks and at conferences for the young hard right.
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He leveraged his massive followings on Instagram and YouTube to rally behind anti-immigration legislation, vocal Christianity, and viral eviscerations of hecklers at his numerous campus appearances.
His campus appearances were viewed on the right as a refreshing antidote to prevailing liberal ideology in higher education, but ignited frequently intense opposition.
News of the shooting evoked shock around the country, with top politicians on the right and left offering tributes.
Right-wing media personality Tomi Lahren referred to Kirk as “visionary.”
“He’s actually opened the door for so many young conservatives to have a career and have, you know, a voice in this business.”.
California Governor Gavin Newsom – a common target for figures on the right like Kirk – labeled the attack “disgusting, vile, and reprehensible”.
“In the United States of America, we must reject political violence in EVERY form,” he stated.
