Conservative activist Charlie Kirk has died after being shot while speaking at Utah Valley University, US President Donald Trump confirmed on Tuesday. He was 31.
Kirk, a co-founder of the right-wing youth organisation Turning Point USA and a close ally of Trump, was addressing students during an outdoor event on the Orem campus when a single shot rang out. Witnesses said the gunman, described as hooded and armed, fired once before fleeing on a motorbike.
Bystander footage shared on social media showed Kirk on stage during a question-and-answer session when the shot was fired, triggering chaos as students scrambled for cover. Campus police initially reported he had been taken away by security after being hit. Hours later, Trump announced Kirk had succumbed to his injuries.
“Charlie was a true patriot and a fighter who loved this country. His voice will never be silenced,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “We will honour him by carrying forward the movement he helped build.”
The FBI said it was assisting local authorities in investigating the shooting. Utah Valley University confirmed that a suspect was in custody but gave no further details.
Kirk founded Turning Point USA in 2012 and built it into a major force on the American right, known for its campus outreach, conservative conferences, and close ties to Trump’s Make America Great Again movement. He was also the host of The Charlie Kirk Show, a popular podcast and radio programme.
