Charlie Kirk, Turning Point USA Co-Founder, Fatally Shot During Campus Event
Charlie Kirk, the co-founder of the conservative organization Turning Point USA, tragically lost his life on Wednesday afternoon following a gunshot during a public appearance.
The news was confirmed by former President Donald Trump, who shared his condolences on Truth Social.
“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. Melania and my sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!” Trump wrote.
Video footage from the scene appeared to capture the moment Kirk was shot while addressing a crowd from under a white pop-up tent. Following the gunfire, panic erupted among attendees, with bystanders shouting, “Run, run, run!”
Messages of support and calls for prayers quickly spread across social media, coming from leaders across the political spectrum, including President Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom.
“The attack on Charlie Kirk is disgusting, vile, and reprehensible. In the United States of America, we must reject political violence in EVERY form,” Newsom tweeted.
According to Ellen Treanor, Associate Vice President of Strategic Communication Management at Utah Valley University, the shooting occurred around 12:20 p.m. at the campus, where Kirk had been invited by a student chapter of Turning Point USA to speak.
“We had a speaker, Charlie Kirk, who was invited by a student group, Turning Point USA, who was speaking on campus today at noon,” Treanor said.
“At about 12:20, shots were fired from a building approximately 200 yards from the speaker. To the best of our knowledge, the individual was hit and was taken away immediately by his security personnel. The campus is closed for the rest of the day, and our campus police have a suspect in custody.”
Video from moments before the shooting shows Kirk responding to a question about transgender mass shooters in the United States.
Audience member: “Do you know how many transgender Americans have been mass shooters over the last 10 years?”
Kirk: “Too many.”
Audience member: “Actually, the number is five. Do you know how many mass shooters there have been in America over the last 10 years?”
Kirk: “Counting or not counting gang violence?”
Seconds later, a loud pop is heard, and the crowd erupts into screams as Kirk is struck.
Social media reactions were immediate. President Trump posted:
“We must all pray for Charlie Kirk, who has been shot. A great guy from top to bottom. GOD BLESS HIM!”
Vice President J.D. Vance also shared his support on X, writing:
“Say a prayer for Charlie Kirk, a genuinely good guy and a young father.”
Other prominent figures added their voices. Utah Senator Mike Lee wrote,
“I am tracking the situation at Utah Valley University closely. Please join me in praying for Charlie Kirk and the students gathered there.”
Pete Hegseth, Secretary of War, said:
“Prayers for Charlie Kirk. An incredible Christian, American, and human being. May the healing hand of Jesus Christ be upon him.”
Across party lines, several governors condemned the violence. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro called the attack “horrifying,” stating:
“Political violence has no place in our country. We must speak with moral clarity.”
Maryland Governor Wes Moore added:
“I condemn the shooting in the strongest possible terms. As I have said in the past and as I will continue to say: Political violence is never acceptable. Ever.”
Former Vice President Kamala Harris described the events as “deeply disturbing” and emphasized the need for unity to prevent further violence.
The tragic incident has sent shockwaves through both political and educational communities, prompting renewed conversations about security at public events and the pervasive threat of political violence.