In the United States, Charlie Kirk — founder of the conservative youth movement Turning Point USA and a close ally of Donald Trump — was killed in a shooting during an event at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025. At the event, attended by approximately 3,000 people, a single shot was fired, striking Kirk in the neck. Eyewitnesses reported that the crowd fled in panic, while security forces immediately sealed off the campus.
The Utah Department of Public Safety announced that the attack was a targeted assassination and that the assailant fired from a rooftop near the campus. Several people were briefly detained in the aftermath, but released shortly thereafter. A large-scale manhunt was launched with the participation of the FBI and local law enforcement. Utah Governor Spencer Cox described the shooting as a “political assassination” and vowed the perpetrators would face the harshest penalties.
Charlie Kirk and His Political Identity
Charlie Kirk was born in Illinois in 1993 and entered conservative politics at an early age. At just 18, he founded Turning Point USA, an organization that sought to mobilize young voters by organizing events, particularly on university campuses. He quickly became one of the most visible figures of the conservative youth movement in the United States, using both campus debates and social media to expand his influence.
Charlie Kirk and Donald Trump - (Anadolu Agency)
Kirk aligned himself strongly with Donald Trump and the “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) movement. During the 2024 elections, he mobilized young voters for Trump through Turning Point Action. In Trump’s second presidency, he became close enough to attend discussions at Mar-a-Lago and serve as an informal advisor. Kirk also hosted The Charlie Kirk Show, a widely followed conservative radio program, in which he advanced strongly polarizing positions on immigration, gun rights, and social issues.
Chronology of Events
On September 10, 2025, Charlie Kirk was targeted while delivering a speech at a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University. According to participants, the program had been underway for about ten minutes when a single gunshot was heard and Kirk collapsed at the podium. Videos shared on social media showed the bullet striking his throat and the audience scattering in panic.
Infographic on the Assassination of Charlie Kirk - (Anadolu Agency)
Security forces quickly evacuated the campus, and the university administration issued an emergency evacuation call to students. Initial reports claimed the shooter had been caught, but this was later corrected. The Utah Department of Public Safety stated that the assailant fired from a rooftop near the campus and confirmed the incident was a “targeted attack.” That evening, the FBI and local police launched a joint manhunt.
Kirk was transported to a hospital in critical condition but later died. President Donald Trump condemned the shooting as “a dark moment for America” and ordered flags flown at half-staff. Utah Governor Spencer Cox reiterated his description of the attack as a “political assassination,” and the university announced that the campus would remain closed until the weekend. The assassination drew national and international condemnation.
Political and Social Reactions
Charlie Kirk’s killing sparked widespread debate in the United States and abroad. President Donald Trump denounced the attack as “a heinous assassination” and ordered flags at half-staff nationwide. Governor Spencer Cox also labeled the shooting a “political assassination” and demanded the severest punishment for the perpetrators.
In Congress, both Republicans and Democrats condemned the killing. During a moment of silence for Kirk in the House of Representatives, tensions rose as lawmakers emphasized that political polarization must not lead to violence. In Utah, large crowds gathered for memorial services, laying flowers and flags in Kirk’s honor.
Charlie Kirk Shooting Moment - (NYP)
Internationally, the assassination drew strong reactions. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remembered Kirk as “a courageous friend” and described his death as “an attack on freedom.” UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed sorrow at the loss of a young father. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stressed that political violence is a direct threat to democracy.
Turning Point USA honored its founder as “the voice of the conservative youth movement,” while conservative media and politicians shared tributes on social media. Several Democratic leaders emphasized the need for a united stance against all forms of political violence.
Security Debates
The shooting of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University sparked major debates about the security of campus events. The fact that the attack occurred in an open-air venue with thousands of students present highlighted gaps in safety measures. Attendees noted that there had been no bag checks or metal detectors, only uniformed police and Kirk’s private security.
Security Forces Continue Search for the Assailant - (Anadolu Agency)
Utah Public Safety officials confirmed that the shot came from a rooftop at long range, which posed a significant vulnerability even for private security teams. Governor Spencer Cox pointed to Utah’s capital punishment laws and stressed that the perpetrators would face the maximum penalty. On the federal level, the FBI joined the investigation and lawmakers called for a review of security protocols at university events.
Political leaders across the country emphasized that the shortcomings revealed by the attack were not just isolated failures, but part of a broader structural vulnerability in the face of political violence. Calls emerged for stricter protections for public events involving political figures.
Capture of Tyler Robinson
President Donald Trump announced the arrest of a suspect during a live broadcast on Fox News. He revealed that the suspect was likely the perpetrator of the murder, identified through a tip-off from someone close to him, reportedly with the involvement of a pastor and family members. Trump emphasized that Utah law mandates the death penalty for murder and expressed hope that it would be applied, calling the crime “horrific.”
Statements from Law Enforcement
According to information shared with the Associated Press, the detained suspect was identified as Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old from Utah. This marked the first official confirmation of the suspect’s identity.
FBI’s Contribution
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had been heavily involved in the case before the arrest. Authorities released photos of the suspect and offered a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to his capture. The reward drew widespread public attention and significantly aided the investigation, ultimately leading to Robinson’s arrest.
