CHARLIE KIRK, a prominent conservative activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA, was killed on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, after being shot during a speaking event at Utah Valley University. Authorities have launched a manhunt for the shooter, who is believed to have fired a single round from a rooftop at the outdoor event. The incident has sent shockwaves through the political landscape, with many, including former President Donald Trump and Utah Governor Spencer Cox, condemning the act as a "political assassination."

The shooting occurred around 12:10 PM during Kirk's "The American Comeback Tour" at Utah Valley University. Video footage from the scene shows Kirk speaking when a gunshot is heard, and he is seen reaching for his neck. He was immediately taken from the location by his security detail. While two individuals were initially taken into custody, they were later released as authorities confirmed they had no ties to the shooting. The suspect has not been identified, and the investigation is ongoing.

Turning Point USA confirmed Kirk's death in a statement, expressing deep sorrow and requesting prayers for his family. Kirk, aged 31, was a significant figure in conservative youth activism and a close ally of Donald Trump. He co-founded Turning Point USA in 2012, which aimed to promote conservative principles among young Americans. He also led Turning Point Action, a political advocacy group, and hosted "The Charlie Kirk Show," a popular conservative talk radio program.

Former President Donald Trump memorialized Kirk on social media, calling him "The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk," and stating that "no one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie." Trump vowed a crackdown on what he termed "political violence," blaming "the radical left" for the rhetoric that he believes leads to such acts. Kirk had been an outspoken critic of what he described as "racist theories" on college campuses and had promoted hard-right positions on issues such as immigration and race.

The assassination of Charlie Kirk marks another grim incident in a period of heightened political polarization and violence in the United States. The circumstances of the shooting, with the suspect believed to have acted from a distance, underscore the challenges law enforcement faces in preventing such attacks. As the manhunt continues, the nation grapples with the implications of this latest act of political violence and its potential impact on the broader political climate.