Conservative activist Charlie Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA and a prominent ally of Donald Trump, was shot and killed Wednesday during an appearance at Utah Valley University. He was 31.
Law enforcement said the shooting appeared targeted. Early reports indicated a suspect was in custody, though later updates noted an ongoing search. Videos verified by media outlets showed Kirk speaking under a tent before collapsing from a neck wound as the crowd scattered.
Trump announced Kirk’s death on Truth Social, writing, “No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States better than Charlie… Melania and my sympathies go out to his wife Erika and family.” Kirk’s wife, Erika Frantzve, and their two children survive him.
Kirk rose from a teenage activist in suburban Chicago to national prominence after founding Turning Point in 2012. The group built a large presence on college campuses, hosted high-profile conservative conferences, and played a role in Trump’s 2016 and 2024 campaigns. Known for his combative style, Kirk embraced Christian nationalism and often framed politics as a “spiritual battle.”
Reactions spanned the political spectrum. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed federal agents were responding. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox pledged accountability, while Vice President JD Vance, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Gov. Gavin Newsom all condemned the violence and offered condolences.
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