Charlie Kirk, a conservative political activist and ally of Donald Trump, has been fatally shot at an event at a Utah college campus, as authorities scramble to find his killer.
Kirk, 31, was fatally shot in the neck in front of a large outdoor crowd at a Utah Valley University event in Orem on Wednesday afternoon. Graphic footage captured the Turning Point USA founder recoiling after gunfire was heard, as blood poured from his neck.
The Utah Department of Public Safety, which is leading the investigation with support from the FBI, said the shooter is believed to have fired once from a nearby roof in a “targeted attack.”
Hopes for the fast capture of the suspected shooter began to fade Wednesday evening as FBI Director Kash Patel announced that authorities had released a person he had said was a key “subject” of a multiagency manhunt. More than 12 hours after Kirk’s shooting, which Utah Governor Spencer Cox described as an “assassination,” no suspects were in custody.
President Trump announced Kirk’s death on Truth Social, prompting an outpouring of tributes from figures of both sides of the political aisle. The president later called the moment “a dark moment for America.”
Here’s what you need to know this morning
Charlie Kirk, the MAGA stalwart and Donald Trump ally, died on Wednesday at the age of 31, after being shot in the neck at a college event in Utah. As authorities hunt for a suspect, here’s what you need to know this morning:
- Kirk was hosting an event at Utah Valley University, the first scheduled stop on his American Comeback Tour, sponsored by Turning Point USA, the MAGA-sponsored group that he founded
- Graphic video from bystanders posted on social media showed Kirk sitting at a booth, surrounded by hundreds of people, when a loud crack was heard shortly after midday. Kirk was seen convulsing and fell backwards as blood poured from his neck
- Utah officials said the shot that killed Kirk came “potentially from a roof” from some distance away
- President Donald Trump first announced Kirk’s death on Truth Social, which Turning Point USA later confirmed
- Two people who were taken into custody earlier were not tied to the shooting and were later released
- A manhunt for the shooter continues with a motive not immediately clear
- The Utah Department of Public Safety, which is leading the investigation with support from the FBI, said the shooter is believed to have fired once from a nearby roof in a “targeted attack”
- Utah Governor Spencer Cox told a press briefing that Kirk’s death was a “political assassination.”
- Tributes to Kirk poured in from global leaders and officials on both sides of the political aisle, condemning the violence and sending prayers to his family. Vigils were held around the country
James Liddell11 September 2025 09:56
Mourners from across the country gather to pay respects to late MAGA firebrand
James Liddell11 September 2025 09:40
Yankees honor Kirk in powerful pregame moment
The New York Yankees halted their usual pregame routine to observe a moment of silence for Charlie Kirk, the late MAGA activist, before their matchup against the Detroit Tigers yesterday.
A photo of the 31-year-old, who was killed during an event at Utah Valley University in Orem earlier in the day, appeared on the Yankee Stadium jumbotron with the simple message: “Remembering Charlie Kirk.”
Trump was scheduled to attend today’s Yankees-Tigers game, which is expected to hold a pregame ceremony to recognize the victims and heroes of 9/11.
James Liddell11 September 2025 09:26
Kirk’s death a sobering reminder for politicians who endured brushes with death
Charlie Kirk’s shooting death has prompted reactions from political figures who themselves narrowly survived public attacks
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, whose husband was critically injured at their California home in 2022 by a man wielding a hammer, denounced the “horrific shooting today at Utah Valley University is reprehensible.”
“Political violence has absolutely no place in our nation,” the Democrat said.
Donald Trump, who was shot in the ear during an attempt on his life during a Pennsylvania rally last summer, said in a video posted to social media that he is “filled with grief and anger at the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk.”
Former Democratic Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who suffered a serious brain injury from a 2011 shooting while meeting with constituents in Arizona, said that “we must never allow America to become a country that confronts those disagreements with violence.”
Steve Scalise, the Louisiana Republican who was shot at practice for a charity baseball game in Virginia in 2017, asked for X users to “join me in praying for Charlie Kirk after this senseless act.”
James Liddell11 September 2025 09:12
FBI urges people to come forward with information on Kirk shooting
The FBI is imploring that anyone with information, photos or videos concerning Charlie Kirk’s shooting to come forward.
The bureau made the plea late on Wednesday night, as it collaborates with local and state law enforcement in Utah to investigate the fatal shooting.
Authorities continue to search for the shooting suspect, after two arrested “subjects” were later released.
Maroosha Muzaffar11 September 2025 08:59
Jimmy Kimmel condemns Kirk shooting and consoles all victims of ‘senseless gun violence’
Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel took to his social media to condemn the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk.
He wrote on Instagram that “instead of angry finger-pointing, can we just for one day agree that is horrible and monstrous to shoot another human?”
He added: “On behalf of my family, we send love to the Kirks and to all the children, parents and innocents who fell victim to senseless gun violence.”
Maroosha Muzaffar11 September 2025 08:30
Netanyahu pays tribute to ‘lion-hearted friend of Israel’
World leaders expressed sorrow following the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Kirk a “lion-hearted friend of Israel” who was murdered “for speaking truth and defending freedom.”
“We lost an incredible human being,” Netanyahu added. “His boundless pride in America and his valiant belief in free speech will leave a lasting impact. Rest in peace, Charlie Kirk.”
Italy’s prime minister Giorgia Meloni described the killing as “an atrocious murder, a deep wound for democracy and for those who believe in freedom”.
Argentina’s president Javier Milei said Kirk was a “formidable disseminator of the ideas of freedom and staunch defender of the West”, before calling him the “victim of an atrocious murder” and blaming the “left”, though law enforcement officials have not confirmed who shot Kirk.
“The entire world lost an incredible human being,” he added.
Maroosha Muzaffar11 September 2025 08:15
JD Vance shares heartfelt tribute for Kirk
VD Vance shared a heartfelt tribute for his longtime friend, Charlie Kirk, on X.
He wrote: “Charlie was fascinated by ideas and always willing to learn and change his mind. Like me, he was skeptical of Donald Trump in 2016. Like me, he came to see President Trump as the only figure capable of moving American politics away from the globalism that had dominated for our entire lives. When others were right, he learned from them. When he was right–as he usually was–he was generous. With Charlie, the attitude was never, ‘I told you so.’ But: ‘welcome’.”
He added: “When I became the VP nominee–something Charlie advocated for both in public and private–Charlie was there for me.”
Maroosha Muzaffar11 September 2025 08:00
Manhunt continues for Charlie Kirk’s killer after earlier person of interest released
FBI Director Kash Patel said on X an earlier “subject” who was being questioned has since been released.
“The subject in custody has been released after an interrogation by law enforcement. Our investigation continues and we will continue to release information in interest of transparency,” Patel said.
Chaos unfolded at Utah Valley University in the north-central city of Orem Wednesday afternoon after Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of the MAGA youth organization Turning Point USA, was fatally shot in the neck.
Maroosha Muzaffar11 September 2025 07:45
Charlie Kirk’s wife Erika posted psalm about ‘help in trouble’ hours before his fatal shooting
Influential right-wing activist Charlie Kirk’s wife Erika shared a Bible verse about seeking help during difficult times just hours before he was shot dead.
“Psalm 46:1 – God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble,” the former Miss Arizona USA, 36, shared Wednesday afternoon on X. Erika, who runs her own ministry as well as a faith-driven clothing brand, only resumed posting psalms to her X account two days before the fatal shooting.
Her post has now become a place where those in mourning have responded with tributes and condolences after her husband Charlie Kirk was fatally shot.
The Turning Point USA founder, 31, was about 20 minutes into his presentation at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, when a single shot rang out, striking him in the neck. Video from the scene shows Kirk bleeding profusely from his neck before falling backward.
Maroosha Muzaffar11 September 2025 07:30
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A post shared by Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel)
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He added: “On behalf of my family, we send love to the Kirks and to all the children, parents and innocents who fell victim to senseless gun violence.”
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World leaders expressed sorrow following the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University.
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Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Kirk a “lion-hearted friend of Israel” who was murdered “for speaking truth and defending freedom.”
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“We lost an incredible human being,” Netanyahu added. “His boundless pride in America and his valiant belief in free speech will leave a lasting impact. Rest in peace, Charlie Kirk.”
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Italy’s prime minister Giorgia Meloni described the killing as “an atrocious murder, a deep wound for democracy and for those who believe in freedom”.
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Argentina’s president Javier Milei said Kirk was a “formidable disseminator of the ideas of freedom and staunch defender of the West”, before calling him the “victim of an atrocious murder” and blaming the “left”, though law enforcement officials have not confirmed who shot Kirk.
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“The entire world lost an incredible human being,” he added.
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VD Vance shared a heartfelt tribute for his longtime friend, Charlie Kirk, on X.
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He wrote: “Charlie was fascinated by ideas and always willing to learn and change his mind. Like me, he was skeptical of Donald Trump in 2016. Like me, he came to see President Trump as the only figure capable of moving American politics away from the globalism that had dominated for our entire lives. When others were right, he learned from them. When he was right–as he usually was–he was generous. With Charlie, the attitude was never, ‘I told you so.’ But: ‘welcome’.”
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He added: “When I became the VP nominee–something Charlie advocated for both in public and private–Charlie was there for me.”
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The manhunt for right-wing activist Charlie Kirk’s killer continues after he was fatally shot while he was speaking at a political event on a Utah college campus.
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FBI Director Kash Patel said on X an earlier “subject” who was being questioned has since been released.
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“The subject in custody has been released after an interrogation by law enforcement. Our investigation continues and we will continue to release information in interest of transparency,” Patel said.
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Chaos unfolded at Utah Valley University in the north-central city of Orem Wednesday afternoon after Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of the MAGA youth organization Turning Point USA, was fatally shot in the neck.
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Read more here:
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Influential right-wing activist Charlie Kirk’s wife Erika shared a Bible verse about seeking help during difficult times just hours before he was shot dead.
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“Psalm 46:1 – God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble,” the former Miss Arizona USA, 36, shared Wednesday afternoon on X. Erika, who runs her own ministry as well as a faith-driven clothing brand, only resumed posting psalms to her X account two days before the fatal shooting.
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Her post has now become a place where those in mourning have responded with tributes and condolences after her husband Charlie Kirk was fatally shot.
“}},{“type”:”markup”,”data”:{“markup”:”
The Turning Point USA founder, 31, was about 20 minutes into his presentation at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, when a single shot rang out, striking him in the neck. Video from the scene shows Kirk bleeding profusely from his neck before falling backward.
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Read more here:
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