Charlie Kirk killed in shooting at Utah University

Charlie Kirk, an American conservative political activist, author, and founder of Turning Point USA, was shot during an event in Utah. It remains unclear initially whether he survived the attack, but later reports confirmed his death.

U.S. President Donald Trump personally confirmed the news on his social media platform, Truth Social, on September 10, 2025.

‘No one understood and empathized with young people better than Charlie,’ says Trump following Utah shooting

The incident occurred while Kirk was speaking and seated under a tent in the courtyard of the University of Utah Valley. He was participating in the "American Comeback" tour, organized by the Utah Valley chapter of TPUSA. TPUSA’s press office confirmed to Fox News that Kirk was injured, though his condition was initially unknown. The suspect has since been apprehended.

Kirk, 31, was a father of two and a prominent supporter of former President Donald Trump. He was widely recognized for his active promotion of conservative and right-wing movements in the United States, focusing on politics, education, and culture. Kirk gained notoriety for his opposition to sending weapons to Ukraine and made controversial statements regarding the conflict. At the start of Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine, he referred to it as a "border conflict" and suggested that "Crimea should be returned to Russia as a goodwill gesture." He also accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of authoritarianism and claimed that Europe was being held hostage by Ukraine’s demands for financial aid in exchange for proper treatment of refugees. Kirk frequently praised BRICS and criticized U.S. financial support for Ukraine.

Kirk was best known as the founder of Turning Point USA, a nonprofit organization aimed at promoting conservative ideas among students on U.S. campuses. He had a significant social media presence, with 5.2 million followers on X and 7.3 million on TikTok.

Following the shooting, President Trump expressed condolences on Truth Social, calling Kirk "great and even legendary." He added, "No one understood and empathized with young people in the United States better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by everyone, especially me, and now he is no longer with us." Trump and First Lady Melania Trump extended their sympathies to Kirk’s wife and family.

The shooting has drawn widespread attention due to Kirk’s political influence and controversial statements. He was known for organizing and mobilizing conservative youth through Turning Point USA and for his outspoken support of Trump’s policies.

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