Trump ally Charlie Kirk shot, killed during Utah university appearance

By Caroline Vakil

The Hill

Conservative activist Charlie Kirk, the co-founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed Wednesday while appearing at an event at Utah Valley University.

President Trump, who grew to be friends with Kirk, announced his death in a post on Truth Social at 4:41 p.m. Wednesday.

“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead,” Trump wrote. “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 Sypathies go out to his wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!”

Kirk, 31, previously had been reported in critical condition, a law enforcement official who was briefed on the attack told The Associated Press.

Shot appeared to be targeted in the attack, as the shooter did not fire multiple shots into the crowd.

Footage from the event showed a large crowd of students gathered around a tent, under which Kirk sat and spoke, with the words “American comeback” and “Prove me wrong” written on the tent.

One video posted to the social platform X appeared to show Kirk addressing the students, at one point speaking about gang violence, before being struck near the neck and later jerking to his left side. Members in the crowd could be heard gasping, with people saying “Oh my god!” and starting to flee.

Another video posted on X, showing a much closer view, appeared to show Kirk shot in the neck, before jerking over to his left side with blood visibly pouring out.

An alert from the university initially said a suspect was in custody, though authorities later said there was still a hunt for a suspect.

The FBI earlier said it was monitoring the situation.

“We are closely monitoring reports of the tragic shooting involving Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University,” FBI Director Kash Patel wrote on X.

“Our thoughts are with Charlie, his loved ones, and everyone affected. Agents will be on the scene quickly and the FBI stands in full support of the ongoing response and investigation.”

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) wrote in a post on X that he had been “briefed by law enforcement” on the situation.

“Those responsible will be held fully accountable,” Cox wrote. “Violence has no place in our public life.”

Both Democrats and Republicans took to social media to condemn the violence and offered thoughts and prayers.

“Political violence is NEVER acceptable. My thoughts and prayers are with Charlie Kirk and his family,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) wrote on X.

“Dear God, protect Charlie in his darkest hour,” Vice President Vance wrote on X.

During a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee markup meeting, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) asked members for a prayer in light of the shooting, and members held a moment of silence.