Charlie Kirk dead at 31 after a targeted shooting at Utah Valley University. Turning Point USA cofounder’s killing shocks US political landscape
Charlie Kirk dead Conservative activist and Turning Point USA cofounder has been confirmed dead after a targeted shooting today at Utah Valley University. He was 31.
Also read: Charlie Kirk shot at Utah college event, in critical condition
Witnesses said Kirk was speaking at a campus debate when a loud gunshot rang out from a nearby building. Video circulating online shows Kirk clutching his neck before collapsing, sparking panic as attendees fled the scene.
Turning Point USA confirmed his death in a statement late Wednesday, calling it a “devastating and unimaginable tragedy.”
Aubrey Laitsch, the group’s public relations manager, said: “We are heartbroken. Charlie dedicated his life to empowering young Americans and fighting for what he believed in. His loss is beyond words.”
University officials said an individual was initially taken into custody but later clarified that the suspect was not the shooter.
The FBI confirmed it had dispatched agents to investigate, describing the attack as “a deliberate act of political violence.”
Former President Donald Trump, whose campaign Kirk strongly supported, reacted on Truth Social: “Charlie Kirk was a great patriot, full of life and passion for America. A terrible loss. GOD BLESS HIM!”
Jason Chaffetz, a former Utah congressman who attended the event, said he heard one gunshot before chaos erupted. “Utah is one of the safest places on the planet. We just don’t have these kinds of things,” he said.
Kirk gained national prominence for his outspoken conservatism, building Turning Point USA into a powerful youth movement that championed Donald Trump and conservative causes.
His fiery campus speeches often sparked controversy but also earned him a loyal following.
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His death comes amid a troubling spike in political violence across the United States, raising urgent questions about security at public and political events.
