By Nneka Ibe
Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative activist and close ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, has been shot dead during a public event at Utah Valley University in Orem. He was 31.
Kirk, founder of the youth conservative group Turning Point USA, was addressing an audience of more than 3,000 people on Wednesday evening when a gunman opened fire. Witnesses said the shot rang out shortly after Kirk answered a question about gun violence. He was struck in the neck and rushed to the hospital, where doctors later confirmed his death.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox described the killing as a “political assassination.” Law enforcement officials said initial findings suggest the bullet was fired from a rooftop overlooking the venue, indicating a targeted attack. Two people were detained for questioning but were later released after investigators determined they were not connected to the shooting. Authorities have not announced any arrests, and the search for the shooter continues.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage and renewed fears of political violence in the United States. President Trump mourned Kirk as “a martyr for truth and freedom” and blamed what he called “radical left violence” for creating a dangerous climate. Leaders across the political spectrum also expressed shock, though divisions quickly emerged over the rhetoric surrounding the killing.
Security experts say the assassination raises urgent questions about safety at political gatherings, particularly in an election season marked by intense polarization. Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage, interviewing witnesses, and appealing to the public for information as they work to track down the perpetrator.
Kirk, who rose to prominence as a staunch supporter of Trump’s agenda, was known for mobilizing young conservative voters through Turning Point USA and his outspoken presence in American politics. His death marks one of the most high-profile political killings in recent U.S. history.
