Charlie Kirk, the founder of conservative youth group Turning Point USA, was fatally shot Wednesday while speaking at an event on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, officials and his organization said.
Kirk, 31, was struck around 12:20 p.m. local time during a campus appearance that marked the kickoff of Turning Point’s "American Comeback Tour." He was rushed from the scene and taken to a hospital, where he later died, President Donald Trump announced on social media. Turning Point USA said in a statement that Kirk "has been murdered by a gun shot" at the event and asked people to pray for his family and to respect their privacy.
Authorities said the gunfire appeared to have come from a building roughly 200 yards from the speaking area and that the shot hit Kirk while he was addressing students. Graphic video circulating on social media showed the moment he was struck and the chaotic hours that followed, with students and attendees running for cover. Campus police initially detained an individual but later released that person and said the shooter remained at large as officers, FBI agents and state authorities searched the area.
Utah Valley University ordered a shelter-in-place and locked down campus buildings while police searched the grounds and escorted people to safety. The university canceled classes for the remainder of the day and closed roads in and out of campus as law enforcement swept buildings in tactical gear. A campus spokeswoman said officials were conducting the investigation in coordination with Orem police.
President Trump ordered American flags to be lowered to half-staff in Kirk’s honor and posted on social media that Kirk was "loved and admired by ALL, especially me." Former President Barack Obama and President Joe Biden each condemned the shooting and said they were praying for Kirk’s family. Other elected officials and public figures from across the political spectrum called for calm, decried the violence and urged restraint while the investigation continued.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said he was coordinating with federal and local law enforcement to pursue the person responsible. House Speaker Mike Johnson said he planned to lead members of Congress in a moment of silence for Kirk and called on Americans to reject political violence.
Authorities have not identified a suspect or announced a motive. Conflicting reports in the immediate aftermath led to uncertainty about whether a suspect had been taken into custody; officials later said the person initially detained had been released. Orem police declined to confirm publicly that an active manhunt was underway, but said the investigation was ongoing and urged anyone with information to contact authorities.
Kirk rose to national prominence as a campus organizer and media figure after co-founding Turning Point USA with Bill Montgomery in 2012 when he was 18. The organization grew into one of the most visible conservative campus groups in the United States, staging large events and drawing prominent Republican speakers. Kirk also hosted "The Charlie Kirk Show" and maintained large followings on social platforms. Turning Point Action, an affiliated group, played a role in voter mobilization efforts in recent election cycles.
Kirk’s style and message made him a polarizing figure: he was credited by supporters with energizing young conservatives and blamed by critics for sharply partisan commentary. He often engaged students directly at campus events and courted controversy, drawing protests and frequent media attention. He publicly discussed his Christian faith and family life; he is survived by his wife, Erika, and two young children.
Reaction on social media and in politics was swift. Several conservative figures and commentators blamed political rhetoric on the left for creating a climate of hostility, even as law enforcement investigators cautioned against drawing conclusions before motives or identities were established. Some public figures urged restraint and warned against spreading unverified information while the probe continued.
Turning Point USA said the attack occurred about 20 minutes into the speaking appearance and described the tour as aimed at "equipping students" to counter what the group calls leftwing influence on campuses. The organization said the tour was scheduled to include multiple stops across the country through late October.
Kirk’s death marks the latest in a string of high-profile acts of political violence that prompted leaders to call for an end to threats and attacks tied to political disagreement. Law enforcement officials said they were reviewing video and other evidence from the event and surrounding areas and asked anyone with relevant information to come forward.
The investigation remains active and fluid. Officials did not provide a timetable for releasing further details and asked the public to rely on official statements as they work to identify the shooter and determine the circumstances of the attack. Turning Point USA’s statement said the group and Kirk’s family were requesting privacy as they grieve.