Charlie Kirk, the conservative commentator and head of Turning Point USA, died Wednesday, September 10, after being shot during a speech at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. He was 31.
“It’s with a heavy heart that we, the Turning Point USA leadership team, write to notify you that early this afternoon, Charlie went to his eternal reward with Jesus Christ in Heaven,” read a statement from Turning Point, released on Wednesday evening.
President Donald Trump also reported Kirk’s death in a post via Truth Social.
“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead,” he 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 Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!”
The shooting occurred around 1:20 p.m. local time as Kirk was speaking as part of his American Comeback Tour. Footage shared on social media showed Kirk appear to be shot in the neck while speaking from beneath a tent in the university courtyard.
An individual was taken into custody shortly after the shooting but that person is not believed to be the suspect, according to multiple reports.
The suspect fired a single shot from approximately 200 yards away, according to CNN.
“A single shot was fired on campus toward a visiting speaker. Police are investigating now, suspect in custody,” a campus alert from the university read.
Politicians from both sides of the aisle have denounced the shooting in the time since it occurred, with Trump writing via Truth Social, “We must all pray for Charlie Kirk, who has been shot. A great guy from top to bottom. GOD BLESS HIM!”
“Political violence has no place in America,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, wrote via X. “This shooting is horrifying, and I’m praying for Charlie Kirk and his family.”
Kirk cofounded Turning Point USA in 2012 at 18 years old. In the years since, he went on to become one of the most influential voices in conservative media. His podcast, “The Charlie Kirk Show,” ranked ninth on Apple Podcasts for news as of Wednesday afternoon.
A close ally of Trump, 79, Kirk worked directly with him on his 2024 presidential campaign. Trump credited him after the election with helping turn out young voters.
Kirk married former Miss Arizona USA Erika Frantzve in 2012. The couple shared a 3-year-old daughter and 16-month-old son.
