Charlie Kirk, a right-wing youth activist, influencer, and a close ally of US President Donald Trump, was shot dead during a public event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, in what officials described as a “political assassination.” He was 31.
Kirk, CEO and co-founder of the conservative youth organisation Turning Point USA, was speaking on his “American Comeback Tour” when he was struck in the neck by gunfire on Wednesday. Utah Governor Spencer Cox called the killing a “political assassination” and warned of rising political violence in the country.
Trump confirmed Kirk’s death on social media, saying his long-time ally had succumbed to his injuries. Later, in remarks, Trump described Kirk as a “very, very good friend of mine and a tremendous person,” recalling his role as an informal adviser during the 2016 campaign and later as a confidant.
Images from the scene showed security personnel rushing Kirk from the stage, while attendees ran for cover as chaos erupted. Law enforcement sealed off the area, deploying emergency vehicles and fire trucks to manage the crowd and treat the injured.
Former Utah congressman Jason Chaffetz, who was in the audience, told that Kirk had just been answering a question on “transgender shooters, mass shooters, and in the midst of that, the shot rang out.”
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According to local officials, the bullet was fired from within the campus, possibly from a rooftop, and the suspected gunman was dressed in dark clothing. The university initially reported that the shooter remained at large, but hours later, FBI Director Kash Patel announced that a suspect had been detained. However, the individual was released later the same day.
The assassination has further unsettled the United States, which has already been shaken by a series of violent attacks on political figures. The killing follows the assassination of a Democratic state lawmaker and her husband in Minnesota, as well as last summer’s shooting of Trump during a campaign rally.
The violence has prompted fresh fears of escalating instability ahead of the next election cycle.
In Phoenix, Arizona, mourners gathered outside the headquarters of Turning Point USA to pay tribute to Kirk. Supporters placed flowers and lit candles beneath banners of the late activist, remembering his years of advocacy for conservative youth causes.
At a press conference, Utah Valley University Chief of Police Jeff Long stood alongside Governor Cox to brief the media, confirming heightened security measures across the campus and surrounding areas.
Witnesses described the moment as one of shock and horror. “He had been sitting under the tent, wearing a t-shirt with the word ‘Freedom’ on it, calmly answering questions from a large audience when suddenly the gunfire started,” one attendee said.
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