OREM, Utah — Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist, was fatally shot during a speaking event at Utah Valley University, NPR reported.
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Kirk, 31, was the CEO and co-founder of Turning Point USA.
| POLICE1 ANALYSIS: What we can learn about event security from the Charlie Kirk assassination
Kirk had just started speaking
The shooting occurred on Sept. 10 just 10 minutes into the first stop of Kirk’s “American Comeback Tour.” According to university officials, the fatal shot was fired from the rooftop of a building approximately 200 yards away.
Graphic video circulating online shows Kirk sitting under a tent on stage when he suddenly grabs his neck and collapses.
Witnesses reported significant blood loss, and he was quickly evacuated from the scene by his security team. Kirk was later pronounced dead.
Police response and manhunt
The Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS) says the attack appears to have been targeted. Though two individuals were initially taken into custody, both were released after questioning. One of them, arrested by university police, was charged with obstruction but has no known connection to the shooting, according to the report.
The DPS and FBI are co-leading the investigation alongside the Utah County Attorney’s Office, the Utah County Sheriff’s Office and local police departments. DPS Commissioner Beau Mason said investigators have “good security footage” of the suspect but are not releasing it at this time. He noted that authorities are using technology to identify the individual and, if unsuccessful, will make the footage public through the media.
Dispatch audio released after the shooting described the suspect as “wearing all black, black long gun, black tactical helmet, a black mask, possibly wearing a tactical vest and jeans.”
Mason said investigators were able to track the movements of the shooter before and after the attack. The gunman is believed to have arrived on campus at 11:52 a.m., used stairwells to reach the rooftop of a building overlooking Kirk’s event, and fired a single shot around 12:20 p.m. He then moved to the other side of the building, jumped down and fled into a nearby neighborhood. Investigators have been contacting homeowners with security cameras, as well as witnesses, to identify leads.
At a press conference on Sept. 11, FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls confirmed that investigators have recovered the firearm used in the assassination — a “high-powered, bolt-action rifle” — in a wooded area along the shooter’s escape route. Bohls said the weapon will undergo forensic testing and noted that investigators also have a footwear impression, palm print and forearm imprints for analysis.
Bohls emphasized that FBI agents are working “around the clock” with law enforcement partners “until we find the person that has committed this heinous crime and find out why they did it.”
Mason said the suspect, who remains at large, appeared to “blend in” with the campus community and is believed to be college-aged. “We will catch this individual,” he said.
Officials said the shooter is believed to have fired from the roof of a campus building overlooking the courtyard where Kirk was speaking before fleeing. Multiple active crime scenes are being processed, including the shooting location and possible escape routes.
DPS later confirmed that “there are no current ties to the shooting with either of these individuals” initially detained.
Authorities continue to urge the public to submit tips, photos, or videos through the FBI’s digital tip line.
The shooting prompted a swift lockdown and evacuation of the campus, which will remain closed through Sept. 14. About 3,000 people had gathered for the outdoor event. Six university police officers were stationed at the event, alongside Kirk’s private security detail.
Trump honors Kirk, vows accountability
In a video addressing the nation, President Donald Trump called Kirk’s death a “heinous assassination” and blamed hostile rhetoric from the media and political opponents for contributing to an environment of violence.
“He was a patriot who devoted his life to the cause of open debate and the country that he loved so much — the United States of America. He fought for liberty, democracy, justice and the American people. He’s a martyr for truth and freedom, and there’s never been anyone who was so respected by youth,” Trump said.
“It’s long past time for all Americans and the media to confront the fact that violence and murder are the tragic consequence of demonizing those with whom you disagree day after day, year after year, in the most hateful and despicable way possible,” he said.
Speaking later at the Sept. 11 remembrance event at the Pentagon, Trump expressed “horror and grief” over the killing and announced that Kirk will be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously.
“Charlie was a giant of his generation, a champion of liberty, and an inspiration to millions and millions of people,” Trump said. “Our prayers are with his wonderful wife Erika and his beautiful children. Fantastic people, they are.”
He continued, “We miss him greatly yet I have no doubt that Charlie’s voice and the courage he put into the hearts of countless people, especially young people, will live on. I’m pleased to announce that I will soon be awarding Charlie Kirk posthumously the Medal of Freedom.” The president said the date of the ceremony will be announced later and predicted a large turnout.
Politicians condemn political violence
Former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush, along with the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation, condemned the violence and expressed condolences to Kirk’s family. Trump, in a four-minute address from the Oval Office, blamed left-wing rhetoric for fostering an environment that led to Kirk’s death, as well as previous attacks on political figures, including the 2024 assassination attempt against himself.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox also expressed outrage at the killing.
“I want to make it crystal clear right now to whoever did this: We will try you and we will hold you accountable to the furthest extent of the law,” Cox said. “And I just want to remind people that we still have the death penalty here in the state of Utah.”
Memorials and responses
Makeshift memorials were set up at both the university and Turning Point USA’s national headquarters in Phoenix. Candlelight vigils were held in cities across the country, including Seattle and Dallas.
College students from Howard, George Washington, and American Universities have staged walkouts and demonstrations, criticizing both the federal response and silence from campus leadership during the surge in political violence.
Who was Charlie Kirk?
Charlie Kirk co-founded the nonprofit organization Turning Point USA in 2012 in suburban Chicago when he was 18. The group, which began with a focus on limited government and lower taxes, has since expanded to nearly 4,000 high school and college campuses nationwide.
Kirk’s national profile grew during the 2016 presidential election when he worked as a personal aide to Donald Trump Jr. during the campaign. His connection to the Trump family helped boost Turning Point’s visibility, and Kirk soon became a frequent guest on television news programs.
Under his leadership, Turning Point USA’s fundraising increased significantly, with contributions rising to more than $79 million in 2022, according to publicly available tax filings. The organization has also built a strong online presence, supporting a wide network of conservative influencers.
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