By Molly Howell & Babette Herrmann
Managing Editor/Publisher
OREM, Utah — Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of the conservative youth activist group Turning Point USA, was shot and killed while hosting his American Comeback Tour at Utah Valley University Sept. 10.
President Donald Trump, a political ally of Kirk’s, announced his death in a post on social media.
“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “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. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!”
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox expressed outrage on social media and called on Americans of all “political persuasions” to unite in condemning the attack.
“I want to make it crystal clear right now to whoever did this, we’ll find you,” Cox said. “We will try you and we will hold you accountable [to] the furthest extent of the law. And I just want to remind people that we still have the death penalty here in the State of Utah.”
A video of the fatal attack shows Kirk speaking to a crowd when a single shot rings out, striking him directly in the neck. The force of the shot throws him backward as the crowd panics and disperses.
Kirk, a father of two, was rushed to the hospital following the shooting, but later died of his injuries.
According to media reports, the sniper shot Kirk from a distant rooftop at the university.
The U.S. flag over the White House was lowered in Kirk’s honor the evening of Sept. 10. Trump announced he was ordering all American flags lowered to halfmast until Sept. 14.
In addition to leading the conservative Turning Point USA movement, Kirk was a popular podcaster and television personality who toured college campuses. At his events, he challenged students to debate him on a range of issues—from transgender rights to traditional marriage—at his “prove me wrong” table.
Tributes from both sides of the political aisle shared their condolences on social media following news of Kirk’s death.
New Mexico Senate Republican Leader Bill Sharer, R-Farmington, said in a statement that “such people executed a man whose only crime was loving God, loving his country, and loving his family.”
“Shame on those who can’t—or won’t—engage in a civil conversation and instead resort to violence to silence the voices of those they disagree with,” he added.
On X, Land of Enchantment Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham echoed Sharer’s sentiments.
“The abhorrent shooting of Charlie Kirk in Utah today is tragic and grossly un-American,” she said. “We can disagree deeply, but violence is never the answer. I urge all Americans to choose respect and dialogue over hate and violence.”
Kirk is survived by his wife, Erika, and their young daughter and infant son. As of the publication deadline, the shooter has not been located, though a rifle believed to have been used in the attack was found early Sept. 11.
