Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was assassinated during a Utah Valley University event. President Trump confirmed his death as the FBI launches a manhunt, sparking nationwide grief, tributes, and political debate.
WEBDESK – September 11, 2025
Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA and father of two, is dead after being shot during a campus event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday afternoon, authorities confirmed. He was 31.
Kirk was rushed to a hospital in critical condition after the shooting but later died, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press. The incident, which occurred at about 12:20 p.m., sent shockwaves through political, business, and student communities nationwide.
Trump confirms Kirk’s death
President Donald Trump confirmed Kirk’s death in a post on Truth Social, offering an emotional tribute:
“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us,” Trump wrote. “Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!”
FBI statement on suspect
The FBI said Thursday that “the subject” of the shooting was taken into custody for questioning but has since been released. The bureau confirmed the investigation is ongoing and that a manhunt for the shooter is still underway.
Chaos at the scene
Video from the event showed Kirk speaking to the crowd from under a white pop-up tent before a shot rang out. The audience screamed and scattered, with onlookers shouting, “Run, run, run!”
Just minutes earlier, photos captured Kirk handing out hats and greeting students during Turning Point USA’s visit to Utah Valley University.
A conservative powerhouse
Kirk founded Turning Point USA in 2012, growing it into a leading conservative youth movement with chapters on campuses across America. Known for his fiery speeches and prolific social media presence, he became a defining voice of millennial and Gen Z conservatism.
Business leaders praised Kirk’s organizational talent, likening Turning Point’s rapid growth to that of a Silicon Valley start-up. Political allies called him a “transformative campus figure” who reshaped student politics.
What comes next
Kirk’s death raises urgent questions about political violence and security at campus events. As tributes pour in from across the country, the pressure on authorities to locate and arrest the shooter continues to mount.
For many supporters, Kirk’s assassination marks not only the loss of a conservative leader but also a dangerous escalation in America’s political climate.
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