Charlie Kirk, 31, founder of Turning Point USA and a close ally of President Donald Trump, was shot and killed during a campus event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. The incident occurred while Kirk was answering a question during the first stop of his national “American Comeback Tour.”
The shooter fired from a nearby campus building, and a suspect is not yet in custody. Despite initial claims by the university, authorities later confirmed no arrest had been made. The university was locked down, and classes were canceled.
President Trump confirmed Kirk’s death on Truth Social, calling him “legendary” and critical to youth outreach in his 2024 campaign. Political figures across the spectrum condemned the attack, highlighting rising political violence in the U.S.
Kirk, known for his confrontational campus debates, was married with two young children. He co-founded Turning Point USA in 2012 at age 18 and was a prominent voice in the conservative movement.
Authorities are investigating, with the FBI and ATF involved.
