Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative activist and close ally of former President Donald Trump, was shot and killed while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University (UVU) on Wednesday, campus officials and law enforcement said.
The shooting occurred in an outdoor courtyard on the university campus at about 12:20 p.m. local time as Kirk, 31, answered a question about gun violence before a crowd estimated at roughly 3,000 people. Eyewitnesses and video from the scene show Kirk recoiling in his chair after a single gunshot; he was later taken to a hospital in a private vehicle and his death was confirmed hours later.
University officials ordered an immediate evacuation and a lockdown of campus buildings as law enforcement conducted a search. Authorities said the shooting appeared to be an assassination and that they believe the fatal shot was fired from the roof of a nearby building. Two people who were detained in the hours after the attack were later released; officials said they had "no current ties" to the fatal incident.
State law enforcement described the investigation as active. The Department of Public Safety said investigators were reviewing university CCTV footage and social media material. Some videos posted to social platforms appeared to show a dark figure on a roof near the campus quad, but officials and independent analysts said the footage was too low-quality to confirm details and has not been verified as depicting the shooter.
Witnesses described panic in the crowd immediately after the shot. "I heard a loud shot, a loud bang and then I saw his body actually — in slow motion — kind of fall over," one witness told reporters. Another said people initially dropped to the ground and then fled as the magnitude of the incident became clear. Kirk's wife and two children were on campus at the time and were reported to be safe. Authorities said no other injuries were reported.
Kirk co-founded the student organization Turning Point USA (TPUSA) in 2012 when he was 18 and became one of the most recognizable figures in the conservative movement on college campuses. He was known for staged debates and public question-and-answer sessions modeled on the "change-my-mind" format, and he hosted a daily podcast and other media appearances. Kirk had close ties to President Trump, was a guest at the inauguration and was credited by supporters with helping to increase youth turnout for conservative candidates.
His political activity and commentary also attracted controversy. Kirk promoted skepticism about the COVID-19 pandemic response, advanced anti-transgender views, and amplified the false claim that the 2020 presidential election was stolen, drawing criticism from political opponents and fact-checkers.
Reaction to the shooting was swift and broadly condemnatory across the political spectrum. On his social platform, Trump called Kirk "The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk" and announced 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 offered prayers for Kirk's family.
Former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who survived a 2011 assassination attempt, said democratic societies must not confront disagreements with violence. Other U.S. political figures, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, issued statements condemning the attack. International leaders including U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Argentina's President Javier Milei also expressed sympathy and concern.
Law enforcement continued to canvass the campus and review video and physical evidence as part of a broader search for the suspect. The Department of Public Safety and university officials urged anyone with information or potentially relevant footage to contact investigators. The investigation remains ongoing and authorities said they will release further details as they are confirmed.