Charlie Kirk Shot and Killed at Utah Valley University
During a speaking tour, Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old co-founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot at Utah Valley University. (Parker Gibbons/Unsplash)
Conservative political activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated while hosting an event at Utah Valley University.
Article by Samara Kangethe, Senior White House Producer
OREM, Utah - Charlie Kirk, 31, was shot and killed while hosting an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday afternoon. Kirk was a conservative political activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA, a nonprofit organization that creates space for dialogue across the political spectrum and advocates conservative political beliefs. Kirk often made public appearances at conservative conferences and has a large social media following. Before his journey with Turning Point Action, Kirk was the youngest speaker at the Republican National Convention in 2016 at age 23.
Kirk began his “The American Comeback” tour in late August. Today, while visiting Utah Valley University and speaking about shootings, someone shot him in the neck. Videos circulating online show Kirk sitting under a tent and a single shot from above hitting him in the neck. Utah Valley University immediately evacuated and has remained closed with an increased police presence ensuring students' safety. The suspect fled the scene directly after the shooting and ran into a neighboring community, but has been captured on video footage which the FBI and investigators are using to identify the suspect.
President Donald Trump has been a long-time supporter of Kirk and his political advocacy. Kirk has brought a new wave of support to President Trump’s second presidential term. President Trump announced Kirk’s death on social media, stating, “No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie”. As a mark of respect, President Trump has ordered that the flag be flown at the half-staff at the White House, all public buildings and grounds, all military posts and naval stations, all naval vessels of the Federal Government in DC, across the United States and its territories until sunset on September 14 (for 4 consecutive days). Governor Shapiro of Pennsylvania has agreed to this order and invited all Pennsylvanians to participate, along with Governor Cox of Utah and Governor Matt Meyer of Delaware.
When the news reached the House of Representatives, Speaker Mike Johnson requested, “a moment or prayer for Charlie Kirk and his family”. Other political figures, such as Nancy Pelosi, have shared statements via X: “Political violence has absolutely no place in our nation”.
Charlie Kirk leaves behind his wife, Erika Lane Frantzve, and two children. There will be a prayer vigil held in Kirk’s honor on Capitol Hill at 7 pm.