Kirk was speaking on a college campus when he was shot in what Utah Gov. Spencer Cox called a ‘political assassination.’
Conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was shot and killed at the age of 31 while speaking to a crowd of students at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, on Sept. 10.
A single shot was fired at Kirk at approximately 12:10 p.m. local time while he was speaking at the university as part of his American Comeback tour.
A bullet struck his neck and he was immediately taken to the hospital by his security team. Hours later, it was announced that he had died, leaving behind his wife, Erika Kirk, and two children.
The founder of Turning Point USA, Kirk was known for a fiery brand of conservative political advocacy that mobilized young voters across the nation in recent elections.
Charles James Kirk was born on Oct. 14, 1993, in Arlington Heights, Illinois.
Raised by a mother who specialized in mental health counseling and an architect father, Kirk excelled in academics as a young child.
He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, displaying leadership skills that would later propel him into the political arena.
Kirk’s first foray into politics was as a volunteer for a Senate campaign while attending high school. He later found the media limelight after protesting what he described as a progressive bias in school textbooks.
Kirk frequently traveled to colleges to speak with students, often setting up “prove me wrong” tables at which to debate attendees. He was a close ally of the Trump administration, regularly visiting the White House and promoting its initiatives on social media and in media appearances. California Gov. Gavin Newsom recently interviewed him for the first episode of the governor’s new podcast.
President Donald Trump in a Truth Social post called Kirk “legendary” and ordered that U.S. flags across the country be lowered to half-staff in his honor.
Shortly after the incident, an older man was arrested, but authorities released him after questioning.
Later, at 6:21 p.m. EDT, FBI Director Kash Patel announced that the suspected shooter was in custody. However, several hours later, Patel stated that that person was also released following interrogation.
“Our investigation continues and we will continue to release information in interest of transparency,” Patel wrote on X at 7:59 p.m. EDT.
At a news conference, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox described the incident as a “political assassination.”
A police officer told reporters that the gunshot came from a building on campus, possibly from a third floor or a rooftop, indicating a long-distance shot.
The available information on the suspect was taken from the campus’s security camera footage, which is closed-circuit TV. Although the footage is still being analyzed, authorities said that the suspected shooter was dressed in all dark clothing and that there was no information that led them to believe that a second person was involved.
“We are actively looking for anyone and everyone who has any, any possible information relating to the shooter,” Cox said.
“The investigation is ongoing, but I want to make it crystal clear right now to whoever did this, we will find you, we will try you, and we will hold you accountable to the furthest extent of the law.”
Cox noted that Utah still has the death penalty.
Kirk had become one of the most prominent political activists in the world, known for his advocacy of free speech. In 2019, he founded Turning Point Action, which quickly emerged as the nation’s leading grassroots conservative organization. The group has energized voters, particularly conservative youth and students.
According to its mission statement, Turning Point Action seeks “to embolden the conservative base through grassroots activism and provide voters with the necessary resources to elect true conservative leaders.”
In just a few years, the organization has become a powerful force in the conservative movement, hosting rallies nationwide in support of candidates, including Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Tributes Pour In
Scores of national and international leaders issued tributes to Kirk’s life.
“No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. [First Lady] Melania [Trump] and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!”
Vice President JD Vance wrote on X, “Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) told reporters on Capitol Hill: “This is detestable, what’s happened. Political violence has become all too common in American society, and this is not who we are. It violates the core principles of our country, our Judeo-Christian heritage, our civil society, our American way of life, and it must stop.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted on X, “Praying for @charliekirk11,” using Kirk’s username on X. Kirk was an active user of social media.
Former President Barack Obama wrote on X: “We don’t yet know what motivated the person who shot and killed Charlie Kirk, but this kind of despicable violence has no place in our democracy.”
“Michelle and I will be praying for Charlie’s family tonight, especially his wife Erika and their two young children,” he wrote, referring to his wife, former First Lady Michelle Obama.
Former President Joe Biden also reacted to the news, writing on X: “There is no place in our country for this kind of violence. It must end now. [Former First Lady] Jill [Biden] and I are praying for Charlie Kirk’s family and loved ones.”
Argentine President Javier Milei wrote on X: “My condolences to the family of Charlie Kirk and to all the young people in the world who admired him and listened to him. A formidable disseminator of the ideas of freedom and staunch defender of the West. … The entire world lost an incredible human being.”
Turning Point USA also released a statement.
“It is with a heavy heart that we confirm that Charles James Kirk has been murdered by a gunshot,” the statement reads.
“May he be received into the merciful arms of our loving Savior, who suffered and died for Charlie.”
Turning Point USA asked that people keep Kirk’s family and his loved ones in their prayers and respect their privacy and dignity.
T.J. Muscaro contributed to this report.
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