Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative activist and close ally of former President Donald Trump, was fatally shot while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem on Wednesday, law enforcement officials said.
Witnesses and videos from the scene showed Kirk speaking under a white gazebo in an outdoor quad of about 3,000 people when a single gunshot rang out at about 12:20 p.m. local time. Eyewitnesses described seeing Kirk recoil and fall from his chair as the crowd fled. He was taken to a hospital in a private vehicle and later pronounced dead, authorities and multiple officials said.
Utah officials characterized the killing as an assassination but said the identity and motive of the shooter remain unknown. Two people briefly detained after the shooting were released, with state officials saying they had no current ties to the fatal incident. The Utah Department of Public Safety described the case as an active investigation and said a large manhunt was under way.
Law enforcement told reporters they believe the fatal shot was fired from the roof of a building near the courtyard where Kirk was speaking. Authorities said they were reviewing university security camera footage and that the suspected shooter was believed to be dressed in dark clothing. BBC Verify examined social media videos that users suggested might show a figure on the roof of the Losee Center at the university, which campus officials identified as the likely origin of the shot; the footage was of too poor quality to confirm details, investigators said.
The university evacuated and locked down the campus after the shooting. Heavily armed officers conducted door-to-door checks while investigators processed the area. Kirk’s wife and two young children were on campus at the time and were reported to be safe. Officials said no one else was injured.
Kirk, 31, rose to national prominence as co-founder of Turning Point USA, a conservative student organization he helped start in 2012 when he was 18. He became a familiar figure on college campuses for public debates and outdoor events in a style modeled on his viral "change-my-mind" moments. Kirk was a frequent guest at the White House during the Trump administration and remained a vocal supporter of Trump, campaigning for conservative positions and messaging aimed at younger voters.
He was both influential and controversial. Supporters credited him with energizing young conservative voters and building a national campus network. Critics pointed to his promotion of disputed or false claims, including skepticism about the Covid-19 pandemic and assertions that the 2020 presidential election was stolen. He also drew criticism for statements on transgender issues.
News of Kirk’s death drew immediate response across the political spectrum. Former President Donald Trump posted on his social platform that Kirk was "loved and admired by ALL, especially me," and directed that flags be flown at half-staff. President Joe Biden said there is "no place in our country for this kind of violence," and former President Barack Obama called the shooting a "despicable act" and said his family was praying for Kirk’s loved ones.
Several current and former elected officials and public figures expressed condolences and condemned political violence. Former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who survived an assassination attempt in 2011, said in a statement that democratic disagreement should never be settled with violence. Other public figures including Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Senator Marco Rubio issued messages of sorrow.
International leaders also weighed in. U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said people must be free to debate without fear. Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the killing as a deep wound for democracy, and Argentine President Javier Milei called Kirk a key disseminator of conservative ideas.
Authorities cautioned the public to avoid speculation as investigators continued to gather evidence from the scene and review surveillance footage. Police urged anyone with information or relevant video to come forward. The investigation remained active into the evening, with searches focused on locating the shooter and determining whether other individuals were involved.
Kirk’s death comes amid heightened concern about political violence in the United States. Lawmakers from both parties have in recent years spoken about the risks faced by public figures and the broader implications for civic life. Investigators said they will work to establish a timeline, identify the person or persons responsible, and examine any potential motives as part of the ongoing inquiry.
As the investigation proceeds, campus officials and law enforcement emphasized that students and the campus community would receive support. The university said it would provide updates as more verified information became available.