Charlie Kirk, the conservative commentator and founder of Turning Point USA, has died at the age of 31 following a shooting at Utah Valley University on Wednesday.
Kirk was struck in the neck during a campus event and was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition. Despite efforts to save him, he succumbed to his injuries shortly after.
The shooting occurred around 12:20 p.m. MDT during Kirk’s “American Comeback Tour” event.
Authorities confirmed that a single shot was fired from a building approximately 200 yards away from the tent where Kirk was speaking.
A suspect was initially taken into custody but was later released, and the investigation is ongoing.
The incident has drawn widespread condemnation from political leaders across the spectrum.
“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead,” President Donald Trump said in a statement. “No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!”
Donald Trump, Jr., also shared his condolences on X, writing, “I love you brother. You gave so many people the courage to speak up and we will not ever be silenced.
Democratic leaders, including former Vice President Kamala Harris and California Governor Gavin Newsom, condemned the attack and called for unity against political violence.
Kirk is survived by his wife, Erika Frantzve, a former Miss Arizona USA and podcast host, and their two young children.
He was known for his outspoken Christian faith and conservative advocacy, particularly among young voters, and founded Turning Point USA at the age of 18.
Kirk also hosted a widely downloaded podcast and was appointed by President Trump in 2020 to a commission on “patriotic education.”
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of public figures and the rise in politically motivated violence in the U.S.
Authorities, including the FBI and ATF, are investigating the shooting, though the motive remains unclear at this time.
However, conservatives on social media have speculated that the motive is clearly political, citing what they describe as ongoing hostility and criticism from mainstream media outlets.
Authorities have not confirmed this theory, emphasizing that the investigation is still active and that no conclusions about the shooter’s intent have been reached.
Meanwhile, law enforcement continues to review security footage, interview witnesses and gather ballistic evidence to identify and apprehend the individual responsible.
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This is a breaking story and will be updated.
