Charlie Kirk, the founding father of the conservative youth activist group Turning Level USA, has died after he was shot throughout an occasion at Utah Valley College on Wednesday, President Donald Trump stated.
“The Nice, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is useless,” Trump stated on social media. “Nobody understood or had the Coronary heart of the Youth in the USA of America higher than Charlie. He was liked and admired by ALL, particularly me, and now, he’s now not with us. Melania and my Sympathies exit to his stunning spouse Erika, and household. Charlie, we love you!”
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox referred to as the deadly capturing a “political assassination.”
An individual of curiosity is in custody and is presently being questioned, Cox stated throughout a press briefing Wednesday afternoon.
Regulation enforcement officer works at Utah Valley College, the place right-wing activist, commentator, Charlie Kirk, an ally of President Donald Trump, was shot throughout an occasion, in Orem, Utah, Sept. 10, 2025.
Jim Urquhart/Reuters
A single shot was fired on the Orem campus towards Kirk, a visiting speaker, shortly after midday, the college stated.
“He was hit and brought from the situation by his safety,” the college stated.
Kirk, 31, was taken to a hospital after being shot, in keeping with Turning Level USA, which stated, “with a heavy coronary heart that we verify that Charles James Kirk has been murdered by a gun shot” through the campus occasion.
“We ask that everybody hold his household and family members in your prayers,” the group stated.
U.S. right-wing activist and commentator Charlie Kirk seems at a Utah Valley College talking occasion in Orem, Utah, U.S. September 10, 2025.
Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune by way of Reuters
Utah Division of Public Security Commissioner Beau Mason referred to as the capturing a “focused assault,” and stated the scene is a “very massive space.”
Mason stated the “solely info” they’ve on the potential shooter was taken from CCTV on campus, and that the individual was wearing all darkish clothes. The shot was fired on campus from a “longer distance,” probably from a roof, he stated.
There is no such thing as a proof that anybody else was concerned, in keeping with authorities.
Salt Lake Metropolis FBI Particular Agent in Cost Robert Bohls stated the investigation is within the early levels.
“We’re following all of the leads and all of the proof,” he stated through the press briefing on Wednesday.
The daddy of two younger youngsters was a Trump confidant on the forefront of a burgeoning conservative youth motion. Generally known as the “Trump whisperer,” Kirk was deeply concerned in vetting prime positions for the administration following the election and was in fixed communication with prime advisers and the president himself.
“It is horrific. It is one of the horrible issues I’ve ever seen,” Trump informed ABC Information Chief Washington Correspondent Jonathan Karl.
“He was a fantastic man,” Trump stated. “He was man. He was an unimaginable man. No one like him.”
FBI and ATF brokers are on the scene, in keeping with Lawyer Basic Pam Bondi.
Patel stated earlier the company “stands in full help of the continued response and investigation.”
A tent bearing the slogan ‘The American Comeback Tour’ is cordoned off after U.S. right-wing activist, commentator, Charlie Kirk was fatally shot throughout an occasion at Utah Valley College, in Orem, Utah, September 10, 2025.
Jim Urquhart/Reuters
There was a dialogue about shootings when the only shot was fired.
Utah Valley pupil Luke Pitman, who witnessed the capturing, informed Salt Lake Metropolis ABC affiliate KTVX that he heard a “large bang.”
“We thought it was confetti. Then, everybody began ducking down,” he informed the station. “After which, I look over at Charlie Kirk and I see blood coming from his neck.”
Utah Sen. Mike Lee stated he’s “monitoring the scenario at Utah Valley College carefully.”
“Please be part of me in praying for Charlie Kirk and the scholars gathered there,” he stated on social media earlier Wednesday.
On this July 15, 2024, file photograph, CEO of Turning Level USA Charlie Kirk speaks on stage on the primary day of the Republican Nationwide Conference in Milwaukee, Wis.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Photos, FILE
Vice President JD Vance referred to as Kirk “a genuinely good man and a younger father” whereas urging prayers within the aftermath of the capturing.
Cox stated earlier he was being briefed “following the violence directed at Charlie Kirk” through the conservative political activist’s go to to the campus.
“These accountable can be held absolutely accountable. Violence has no place in our public life. Individuals of each political persuasion should unite in condemning this act,” he stated on X.
The college was the primary cease this fall for Turning Level USA’s “The American Comeback Tour,” which is traveling to a number of school campuses across the nation. The tour has deliberate stops in Utah, Colorado, Minneapolis, Virginia and elsewhere, in keeping with its web site.
On this Might 28, 2025, file photograph, Turning Level USA co-founder Charlie Kirk stands at the back of the room as President Donald Trump speaks throughout a swearing in ceremony for interim U.S. Lawyer for Washington, D.C. Jeanine Pirro within the Oval Workplace of the White Home in Washington, D.C.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Photos, FILE
An occasion that includes Kirk at Utah Valley College on Wednesday was anticipated to incorporate a “show me improper” desk, in keeping with the tour’s web site.
Forward of Kirk’s go to to Utah Valley College, some college students began an online petition asking college directors to cease him from coming.
Although Kirk’s go to was controversial on campus, police have been monitoring no particular or credible threats earlier than the deadly capturing, Utah legislation enforcement sources informed ABC Information.
Greater than 3,000 individuals have been estimated to be on the occasion, in keeping with the college’s police chief, Jeff Lengthy. There have been six cops, together with Kirk’s non-public safety, in keeping with Lengthy.
“We skilled for these items, and also you assume you’ve gotten issues coated, and these items, sadly, they occur,” Lengthy stated throughout Wednesday’s press briefing.
Utah Valley College’s campus is closed and courses have been canceled till additional discover, the college stated.
“We’re shocked and saddened by the tragic passing of Charlie Kirk,” Utah Valley College Vice President Val Peterson stated throughout Wednesday’s press briefing. “We categorical our honest condolences to the Kirk household. We grieve with our college students, school and workers who bore witness to this unspeakable tragedy.”
Peterson stated the college’s Turning Level USA pupil group invited Kirk to talk on the campus, which he stated is seen as a “place to share concepts and to debate brazenly and respectfully.”
“Any try to infringe on these rights has no place right here,” he stated. “We don’t condone any type of violence at UVU and search to make our campus a protected place for all.”
Regulation enforcement officers work at Utah Valley College, the place right-wing activist, commentator, Charlie Kirk, an ally of President Donald Trump, was shot throughout an occasion, in Orem, Utah, Sept. 10, 2025.
Jim Urquhart/Reuters
There is no such thing as a name to shelter in place right now, in keeping with Orem Mayor Dave Younger, who urged individuals to report something suspicious to police.
“We’re devastated by right now’s occasions,” Younger stated in a press release. “This sort of violence ought to by no means occur wherever, not to mention in our group. That is in direct opposition to our values, which embody household, unity, respect and religion.”
The incident sparked immediate condemnation from leaders on each side of the political aisle.
“There is no such thing as a place in our nation for this type of violence. It should finish now,” Former President Joe Biden stated. “Jill and I are praying for Charlie Kirk’s household and family members.”
Utah Governor Spencer Cox speaks at a press convention after right-wing activist, commentator, Charlie Kirk, an ally of President Donald Trump, was fatally shot throughout an occasion at Utah Valley College, in Orem, Utah, Sept. 10, 2025.
Jim Urquhart/Reuters
“The assault on Charlie Kirk is horrifying and this rising kind of unconscionable violence can’t be allowed in our society,” Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, stated on X.
Fellow Democratic governor, California’s Gavin Newsom, stated on X that the “assault on Charlie Kirk is disgusting, vile, and reprehensible. In the USA of America, we should reject political violence in EVERY type.”
Republican Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo stated the “assault was sickening and heartbreaking, and there’s no place — ever — for violence in American politics.”
Trump has ordered all American flags all through the nation to be lowered to half-staff by Sunday night in Kirk’s honor.
Kirk had two children, a 3-year-old woman and a 1-year-old boy, along with his spouse, Erika.
He was thought of an enormous star on the far proper by many conservative pundits and seen as main the following era of Trump’s MAGA motion.
He based the conservative advocacy group Turning Level USA in 2012, on the age of 18.
The group helped to advertise Trump, particularly with highschool and college-age voters. The group and Kirk had an enormous following with conservatives, significantly males, and he was in a position to parlay that reputation into help for Trump’s marketing campaign.
Throughout the 2016 Republican Nationwide Conference, Kirk spoke to an enthusiastic crowd as one of many youngest audio system. He was the opening speaker on the 2020 RNC.
“Charlie Kirk was a father, husband, and devoted patriot who spent his life defending conservative values and galvanizing younger Individuals,” Republican Nationwide Committee Chairman Joe Gruters stated in a press release. “Our hearts break for his spouse, youngsters, family members, and numerous supporters throughout the nation. The horrifying violence at Utah Valley College that took the lifetime of Charlie Kirk is totally appalling. Republicans and Democrats alike should stand united in condemning this brutality that has no place in America.”
Democratic Nationwide Committee Chair Ken Martin referred to as the capturing “one more horrific act of focused political violence.”
“Although we’re nonetheless awaiting additional particulars, in all probability, he was murdered for expressing his beliefs,” Martin stated in a press release. “Let me be clear: even in the event you disagree with somebody’s beliefs, even in the event you stand towards each single factor they stand for, the trail of disagreement must not ever result in what occurred right now at Utah Valley College.”
ABC Information’ Aaron Katersky and Ivan Pereira contributed to this report.
This can be a growing story. Please verify again for updates.
