Conservative political activist and founder of Turning Point USA, Charlie Kirk, was fatally shot on Tuesday, September 10, 2025, during a campus event at Utah Valley University (UVU).
Authorities say the shooting appears to have been a targeted attack, prompting a massive multi-agency manhunt for the suspected gunman.
The incident occurred around 12:20 p.m. local time during Kirk’s “Prove Me Wrong” event, part of his American Comeback Tour.
Witnesses say he was speaking under a tent before a single bullet struck him in the neck, apparently fired from the rooftop of a nearby building about 200 yards away. Kirk collapsed on stage as attendees rushed to his aid. He was transported to a hospital but later pronounced dead.
More than 3,000 people were present at the event, and panic spread through the crowd as law enforcement moved in to secure the area.
Authorities initially questioned a “person of interest,” but FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the individual was released after investigators found no evidence linking them to the shooting.
As of Wednesday morning, no arrests have been made, and the suspect remains at large. The investigation involves the FBI, Utah Department of Public Safety, and multiple local law enforcement agencies.
Officials are urging members of the public to submit any photos, videos, or surveillance footage from the scene that could assist in tracking down the shooter.
The killing has drawn condemnation across the political spectrum. Former President Donald Trump described it as a “heinous assassination” and ordered U.S. flags flown at half-staff in Kirk’s honor. Other political leaders, both Republican and Democrat, expressed shock and sorrow, warning against escalating political violence in an already polarized climate.
Kirk, 31, had built a strong following as a conservative commentator and organizer, particularly among younger Americans. His death at a university event has raised urgent questions about security at public political gatherings.
While investigators believe the attack was deliberate, the shooter’s motive remains unclear. Authorities have yet to determine whether the killing was politically motivated, personally driven, or tied to another factor.
The shooting has reignited national debate over the consequences of political rhetoric, security at public events, and the growing threat of politically motivated violence in the United States.
