Conservative activist Charlie Kirk, was shot and killed on Wednesday afternoon while speaking to students at Utah Valley University (UVU) in Orem, Utah.
The shooting occurred at approximately 12:20 p.m. MDT during an outdoor event on the university’s campus.
31-year old Kirk, who was seated under a tent answering questions from students, was struck in the neck by a single bullet.
The shot appeared to come from a distance, possibly from the roof of the Losee Center, about 200 yards from the event area, according to officials.
Around 3,000 students and guests were gathered for the event, part of Kirk’s nationwide “American Comeback Tour.” The event used his familiar “Prove Me Wrong” format, where he debates audience members on political topics.
Video from the scene shows Kirk responding to a student question when a loud crack was heard. He collapsed as students and staff fled for cover.
Campus police and emergency medical teams reached him within minutes. He was transported to Timpanogos Regional Hospital in Orem, where he was pronounced dead later that afternoon.
Who was Charlie Kirk?
Kirk was the founder and president of Turning Point USA, a national conservative youth organization. He was widely known as a supporter of Donald Trump, an advocate of gun rights, and a critic of transgender rights and progressive campus policies. His organization played a major role in youth voter turnout efforts in recent U.S. elections.
The shooting triggered a full campus lockdown. Buildings were evacuated while local police, the Utah Department of Public Safety, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) searched the area.
Investigators initially detained two people seen fleeing the area. However, by Wednesday night, both had been questioned and released. No one is currently in custody, and authorities have not named any suspects.
Officials say surveillance video appears to show a figure on the roof of the Losee Center moments before the shooting and a person running across the roof immediately afterward. Investigators believe the shot was fired from that location.
Reactions
Spencer Cox, Governor of Utah, called the killing “a political assassination” and promised a thorough investigation. “We will find whoever committed this crime,” he said at an evening press conference.
Kash Patel, the FBI Director, initially announced the arrest of a “subject” but later admitted the person had been released after questioning. He said the investigation remains “active and ongoing.”
Former President Donald Trump released a video statement from the Oval Office on Wednesday night. He called Kirk’s killing “a dark moment for America” and directed U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff until Sunday evening.
“Charlie was a courageous voice for millions of young Americans,” Trump said. “We will find each and every person who contributed to this atrocity.”
JD Vance, the Vice President, wrote on social media: “Please pray for Charlie’s family. He was a loving husband and father.”
Lawmakers from both major parties offered condolences. Senator Mike Lee of Utah called the event “unthinkable” and urged calm. Former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden condemned the killing and warned against political violence.
During a moment of silence in Congress Wednesday evening, a brief shouting match broke out between lawmakers, reflecting the high political tension following the attack.
Kirk had faced criticism and protests on many campuses. At UVU, some students had petitioned against hosting him, citing his positions on LGBTQ issues and immigration. Despite threats and controversy, Kirk often said he believed open debate on campuses was essential.
There has been notably an increasing act of political violence in the U.S. In recent years, two Democratic state legislators were shot in Minnesota, and Donald Trump survived two assassination attempts in 2024, including one at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
As of the time of this report, the suspect remains still at large with no confirmed identity or arrest.
Investigations led by local, state, and federal agencies are ongoing while UVU remains under increased security; events have suspended for the week.
Governor Cox also urged residents “not to let hatred win” and said the state will provide mental health support for witnesses and students.
“This is not what America should be,” Cox said. “We are broken right now, but we must not stay that way.
