Charlie Kirk Fatally Shot at Utah Campus Event in Suspected Political Assassination

Conservative activist and Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk was fatally shot during a public event at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025, in what authorities are calling a “political assassination.”

Kirk, 31, was delivering a speech as part of his “American Comeback Tour” when a single shot rang out shortly after noon. Witnesses say the gunshot caused panic among attendees, some of whom took cover while others rushed toward the stage.

Emergency responders quickly transported Kirk to a nearby hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries, having been struck in the neck by a bullet. The shot was reportedly fired from a building approximately 200 yards from the outdoor event stage. While an individual was initially detained, they were later released without charges. The suspect remains at large, and the investigation is ongoing.

Kirk was a prominent figure in right-wing politics and a close ally of former President Donald Trump, who confirmed Kirk’s death in a public statement. Trump described him as “great, and even legendary,” noting Kirk’s unique ability to connect with young Americans. The assassination has drawn widespread condemnation from political leaders across the spectrum, with renewed calls for addressing escalating political violence in the country.

The FBI and local law enforcement agencies are treating the case as a politically motivated attack, although the precise motive and the identity of the shooter have not yet been confirmed. Security at university campuses and political events has since been heightened nationwide in response.