Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot Wednesday during an appearance at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, university officials and law enforcement said. The 31-year-old was rushed to a local hospital and was pronounced dead, prompting a federal investigation and widespread condemnation from lawmakers across the political spectrum.
University police initially told students a suspect had been taken into custody but later said that the person was released. Federal authorities including the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were on the scene assisting local investigators, and officials said a manhunt and investigative efforts were underway. No suspect has been publicly identified and authorities have not released a motive.
Lawmakers from both parties voiced shock and called for an end to political violence. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., called the news "devastating" and urged political leaders to denounce violence. "The problem is in the human heart, and it's gotten out of hand," he said. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., told colleagues on the Senate floor that "political violence, which this attack seems to be, has no place in this country — none."
Democratic lawmakers also condemned the shooting. Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., said Kirk was "a husband, father, and son" and added, "Violence is never the answer." Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., urged efforts to find a path forward amid heightened polarization.
President Donald Trump confirmed the death on Truth Social, describing Kirk as someone who "understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie." Several other Trump allies and members of his administration expressed condolences to Kirk's family.
Kirk was speaking at an "American Comeback Tour" event on the university campus when the shooting occurred, according to attendees and campus officials. Photos from the event show Kirk engaging with students prior to the attack. Turning Point USA founded more than a decade ago, had become a prominent conservative campus organization and national presence through its outreach to young conservatives.
Those who knew or worked with Kirk described him as an influential campus organizer. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, called him "an American patriot, an inspiration to countless young people to stand up and defend the timeless truths that make our country great." Lee urged prayers for Kirk's wife and children and said justice should be swift.
The killing comes amid a string of politically charged attacks and assassination attempts in recent years. During the 2024 campaign, President Trump survived two separate assassination attempts, including a July 13, 2024, shooting at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in which Trump was struck in the ear, and a second incident on Sept. 15, 2024, when shots were fired near a golf course in Florida. The defendants in those cases have faced federal prosecutions, and at least one of the would-be assailants was killed by a law enforcement sniper at the scene.
Violence and vandalism targeting conservative organizations and religious groups have also been reported across the country. Local and federal authorities have investigated attacks ranging from arson and vandalism at party and nonprofit offices to assaults at campus events. In 2017, Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., was shot at a congressional baseball practice in an attack that left him critically wounded and raised longstanding concerns about threats against public officials.
Turning Point USA chapters have reported confrontations and assaults at campus events in recent years, and pro-life centers and churches drew vandalism and arson in the wake of the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision in 2022. Law enforcement and political leaders from both parties said Wednesday they hoped the attack on Kirk would prompt renewed attention to preventing politically motivated violence.
Investigators asked students and witnesses to cooperate and said hotlines and escorts were being provided on campus as authorities worked to secure the area and gather evidence. Utah law enforcement officials did not immediately provide a timeline for releasing additional information about the investigation.
As the probe continues, lawmakers emphasized restraint in public rhetoric and the need to protect political discourse. "We must collectively find a way forward during these polarized times," Sen. Fetterman said. Federal officials said they would provide updates as the investigation progresses and urged anyone with information to contact local authorities or the FBI.