Charlie Kirk Shooting: Conservative Activist Fatally Shot at Utah University Event
Conservative political activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed on September 10, 2025, while speaking at Utah Valley University in what authorities are calling a “political assassination.” The 31-year-old co-founder of Turning Point USA was addressing approximately 3,000 attendees at his “American Comeback Tour” event when a single gunshot rang out, striking him in the neck.
The Incident Details
The shooting occurred at approximately 12:20 PM local time during Kirk’s outdoor “Prove Me Wrong” debate event on the Utah Valley University campus in Orem. Kirk was seated under a white tent, responding to questions from the audience when he was discussing mass shootings and transgender issues. Video footage captured the moment Kirk grabbed his neck and collapsed after being hit by what authorities confirmed was a single bullet.
The shot was fired from the rooftop of the Losee Center, located approximately 130-150 yards away from where Kirk was speaking. Security footage shows a figure in dark clothing fleeing across the rooftop immediately after the shooting, then jumping from the building and escaping into a wooded area.
Investigation and Manhunt
The FBI has launched an intensive manhunt for the suspect, offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to the perpetrator’s capture. Investigators have recovered a high-powered bolt-action rifle, identified as an older model imported Mauser .30-06 caliber weapon, found wrapped in a towel in nearby woods. According to reports, the weapon and ammunition were marked with transgender and antifascist slogans.
Authorities have collected significant forensic evidence from the crime scene, including shoe impressions, palm prints, and forearm imprints from the rooftop. The suspect is described as a college-aged individual who “blended in well with the college institution” and appeared to have knowledge of the campus layout.
FBI surveillance images released show a person of interest wearing dark clothing, including a dark long-sleeved shirt with what appears to be an American flag design, dark baseball cap, and sunglasses. Officials have received over 7,000 tips and leads and completed approximately 200 interviews as the investigation continues.
Background on Charlie Kirk
Kirk was one of America’s most prominent conservative activists and a close ally of President Donald Trump. He founded Turning Point USA at age 18 in 2012, building it into the largest conservative youth organization in the United States. Known for his “Prove Me Wrong” campus debates, Kirk was instrumental in mobilizing young Republican voters and frequently visited the White House during Trump’s presidency.
His organization focused on promoting conservative values on liberal college campuses, making him both a celebrated figure among supporters and a controversial target for critics. Kirk was married with children and had become a significant voice in the MAGA movement.
Political Response and Impact
The assassination has drawn bipartisan condemnation from political leaders across the spectrum. President Trump ordered flags to be flown at half-staff and announced plans to posthumously award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Utah Governor Spencer Cox characterized the killing as a “political assassination” and a “dark day for our state and tragic day for our nation”.
The incident has reignited discussions about rising political violence in America, with authorities emphasizing there is no place for such violence in political discourse. However, the shooting has also exposed deep political divisions, with some figures attempting to assign blame across party lines.
Current Status
Two individuals were briefly detained but later released without charges. The suspect remains at large, and federal, state, and local agencies continue coordinating what they describe as “multiple active crime scenes”. The university canceled classes and implemented a campus lockdown immediately following the incident.
The FBI is urging anyone with information to contact them at 1-800-CALL-FBI as the search for Kirk’s killer continues. This tragic event marks a significant escalation in political violence and has sent shockwaves through the conservative movement and American politics more broadly.
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