Conservative political activist Charlie Kirk has died after being shot on Wednesday whereas chatting with a big crowd at Utah Valley College in Orem, President Donald Trump mentioned.
An unknown gunman fired on the 31-year-old Kirk from a campus constructing 200 yards away simply after midday native time, hitting him as soon as within the neck, the college mentioned.
Kirk, who was married with two youngsters, was taken to a close-by hospital, the place he was in surgical procedure earlier than Trump introduced his loss of life.
The gunman remained at massive as of Wednesday afternoon, based on a UVU spokeswoman.
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 Tribu | By way of Reuters
UVU cancelled courses and advised individuals who remained on campus to “safe in place till cops can escort you safely off campus.”
“The Nice, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is useless,” Trump wrote in a Reality Social submit.
“Nobody understood or had the Coronary heart of the Youth in the US of America higher than Charlie,” Trump wrote.
“He was beloved and admired by ALL, particularly me, and now, he’s now not with us. Melania and my Sympathies exit to his lovely spouse Erika, and household. Charlie, we love you!”
Trump ordered U.S. flags lowered to half-mast by means of Sunday to mark Kirk’s loss of life.
U.S. right-wing activist and commentator Charlie Kirk throws hats to the gang shortly earlier than he was shot at a Utah Valley College talking occasion in Orem, Utah, U.S. September 10, 2025.
Trent Nelson/the Salt Lake Tribu | By way of Reuters
Kirk was the co-founder of Turning Level USA and head of a number of associated political organizations. HIs motion, which was geared toward younger conservatives, has raised a whole bunch of tens of millions of {dollars}.
A staunch Trump supporter, Kirk was additionally a private good friend of prime officers in Trump’s administration.
He was at Utah Valley College on Wednesday for the primary cease on Turning Level’s “American Comeback Tour,” based on the group’s web site.
The occasion featured Kirk seated at his “show me flawed desk,” a format during which he debated individuals who challenged his views.
UVU is Utah’s largest public college, with practically 47,000 enrolled college students as of fall 2023.
Shortly earlier than the capturing, Kirk tweeted concerning the occasion.
“WE. ARE. SO. BACK,” Kirk wrote on X.
“Utah Valley College is FIRED UP and READY for the primary cease again on the American Comeback Tour.”
The scene after U.S. right-wing activist and commentator Charlie Kirk was shot at a Utah Valley College talking occasion in Orem, Utah, U.S. September 10, 2025.
Trent Nelson/the Salt Lake Tribu | By way of Reuters
Jason Chaffetz, a former Republican congressman from Utah, advised Fox Information that he was on the occasion with household, and about 2,000 or so different folks, most of them college students.
Kirk had been requested a query about “transgender shootings, mass shootings” proper earlier than being shot, Chaffetz mentioned.
“As quickly as this shot rang out, everyone hit the deck, after which everyone began scattering and yelling and screaming, as you may think,” Chaffetz mentioned. “I can not say I noticed blood. I can not say I noticed him get shot, however as quickly as that shot went out, he fell again into his left and everyone hit the deck.”
Kirk’s spouse, Erika Kirk, tweeted a biblical verse after the capturing.
“Psalm 46:1 – God is our refuge and power, a really current assist in bother,” Erika Kirk wrote.
Charlie Kirk speaks throughout a city corridor assembly Monday, March 17, 2025, in Oconomowoc, Wis.
Jeffrey Phelps | AP
Elected officers and others from either side of the political aisle issued statements of help for Kirk after he was shot and condolences after his loss of life was introduced.
“There isn’t a place in our nation for this type of violence,” former President Joe Biden wrote in a tweet.
“It should finish now. Jill and I are praying for Charlie Kirk’s household and family members.”
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent wrote, “Relaxation in peace to my good friend, Charlie Kirk. My coronary heart is together with his family members at this devastating time. This inexcusable violence belongs nowhere in a civilized society. Charlie was a courageous man, a loyal husband, a loving father, and an amazing patriot. Please be part of me in praying for his household and our nation.”
Jack Schlossberg, whose grandfather, President John Kennedy, was assassinated in November 1963, wrote on X, “Charlie Kirk was assassinated at present. we’re all weaker due to it. A tragedy. I’m considering of his household.”
Home Speaker Mike Johnson, R–La., wrote, “Totally devastating. Charlie was a detailed good friend and confidant. He will probably be sorely missed by so many.”
“Each political chief should loudly and clearly decry this violence. Our prayers exit to his spouse and younger youngsters. Might he relaxation in peace,” Johnson wrote.
Former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords, a Democrat who was shot within the head by a gunman in Tuscon, Arizona, in 2011, mentioned, “The homicide of Charlie Kirk breaks my coronary heart. My deepest sympathies are together with his spouse, two younger youngsters, and pals.”
“Democratic societies will all the time have political disagreements, however we mustn’t ever enable America to turn out to be a rustic that confronts these disagreements with violence. Assaults towards political or ideological opponents are cowardly and un-American, and should be universally condemned,” Giffords mentioned.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick wrote, “It is clear Charlie was assassinated for his political opinions. I solely hope the terrorist who killed him will probably be caught and justice will probably be swift.”
“Charlie will probably be remembered for his kindness, his loyalty, and his devotion to America,” Lutnick wrote.
Former President Barack Obama tweeted, “We do not but know what motivated the one who shot and killed Charlie Kirk, however this type of despicable violence has no place in our democracy,”
“Michelle and I will probably be praying for Charlie’s household tonight, particularly his spouse Erika and their two younger youngsters,” Obama wrote.
Minutes after Kirk was shot, a number of folks have been shot in a separate assault at Evergreen Excessive College, positioned west of Denver, Colorado.
Three juveniles have been in essential situation after the capturing, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Workplace mentioned. A kind of juveniles is the suspected shooter, based on the workplace.
Kirk’s slaying comes practically three months after a gunman killed Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman, a Democrat who beforehand served as speaker, her husband Mark Hortman, and shot and wounded Minnesota state Senator John Hoffman and his spouse Yvette Hoffman.
The suspect in that case, Vance Boelter, faces pending state and federal prison costs.
Kirk was an outspoken gun rights advocate, and his earlier statements about firearms took on a brand new solid within the wake of his assassination.
At an April 2023 Turning Level USA occasion at a church in Salt Lake Metropolis, Utah, Kirk answered a questioner who had requested find out how to persuade gun-control proponents that it’s “necessary to have the precise to defend ourselves and all that good things?”
“You’ll by no means stay in a society when you’ve gotten an armed citizenry and you will not have a single gun loss of life,” Kirk replied, based on an audio recording and transcript.
“That’s nonsense. It is drivel,” he mentioned. “However … I feel it is price it. I feel it is price to have a price of, sadly, some gun deaths each single 12 months in order that we are able to have the Second Modification to guard our different God-given rights. That may be a prudent deal. It’s rational.”
— CNBC’s Erin Doherty contributed to this story.