Charlie Kirk, 31, the influential conservative activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA, was shot dead on September 10, 2025, during a speaking event at Utah Valley University. The shot is believed to have come from a sniper positioned in a rooftop building several hundred feet away. The incident has sparked a nationwide uproar over political violence, campus security, and how public figures are targeted. Authorities are conducting a manhunt for the shooter, with no confirmed arrests so far.

Event Setting & Shooting

• The event was part of the “American Comeback Tour,” a speaking tour by Kirk and Turning Point USA on college campuses. At Utah Valley University in Orem, about 3,000 people were attending.
• Approximately 20 minutes into the event, while sitting at his “Prove Me Wrong” table and fielding audience questions, Kirk was struck by a single gunshot in the neck.
• Witnesses described chaos: blood visible, people ducking or fleeing. Campus police and Kirk’s security detail responded. The university was locked down and classes were canceled following the shooting.

Investigation & Suspects

Officials believe the sniper shot from a rooftop or elevated position in a building known as the Losee Center, roughly 200 yards away. A “person of interest” was initially taken into custody; however, authorities later released him after questioning.

No suspect has yet been publicly identified or charged. State and federal law enforcement — including the FBI — are involved. Utah Governor Spencer Cox has called this a political assassination and emphasized that such acts threaten constitutional foundations of free speech.

Reactions & Implications

Political leaders across the spectrum condemned the attack. Former President Donald Trump, a close ally of Kirk, blamed “inflammatory rhetoric from the political left” for fueling a climate of violence. Democratic leaders described the killing as a stark warning about the dangers of escalating extremism. The White House labelled the shooting “an attack on democratic freedoms.”

The incident has reignited debate about the security of campus events and the responsibilities of universities hosting controversial figures. Analysts warn that the assassination is one of the most serious politically motivated killings in the U.S. in decades, underscoring the risks of polarization and escalating threats against public figures.