Charlie Kirk was shot and pronounced dead at the age of 31 on September 10th, 2025, in Orem, Utah.
Kirk was a well-known political figure known mostly for founding Turning Point USA, which is an organization that advocates for conservative values. Turning Point USA has started to grow a strong presence in universities around the country; it has even made its way to Stan State. With their “Exposing the Trans Agenda” event.
Kirk was at Utah Valley University to kick off his The American Comeback Tour. This location was the first stop of a 15-university tour.
At approximately 12:10 Mountain Daylight Time, his speech was interrupted due to the strike of a bullet to his neck.
According to CNN, an attendee of the event, Raydon Dechene, said there were not any security measures in place at the event. CNN also reported that seconds before Kirk was shot, he was answering a question about mass shooters in the transgender community.
Ellen Treanor, a spokesperson for the university, told the New York Times that Kirk was struck about 20 minutes into his speech. Treanor also stated that the suspect had fired at Mr. Kirk from a building called the Losee Center, about 200 yards away from where Kirk was sitting.
Although a video is currently being circulated online of an older man who is said to be the alleged shooter, it has been confirmed that there is currently no one arrested for this crime.
“There is no suspect in custody, it is an active investigation,” Treanor stated.
A few hours later, the FBI Director, Kash Patel, took to X to announce that the suspect who took Charlie Kirk’s life is now in custody.
After further investigation, Patel announced the suspect in question had been released after interrogation by law enforcement.
Currently, the university is said to be working with four agencies to conduct the investigation. Orem Police, Utah Valley University Policy, the F.B.I. and the Utah Department of Public Safety.
Scott Trotter, another university spokesperson, talked to the New York Times. Telling them that at least 1,000 people were attending the event at Utah Valley University when Kirk was shot. Trotter also announced that the campus was closed after the shooting and classes have been canceled until further notice.
With the announcement of his death, there have been both political adversaries and companions voicing their remorse and sympathies for Kirk’s passing.
Donald Trump, President of the United States, was one of the first people to proclaim the result of this attack on Kirk.
“The great, and even legendary, Charlie Kirk is dead,” exclaimed Trump on Truth social media.
President Trump also ordered all American flags to be lowered to half-staff until Sunday evening in honor of Charlie Kirk.
Former Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris, relayed her concern for not only Kirk but also the state of America.
“Let me be clear: Political violence has no place in America. I condemn this act, and we all must work together to ensure this does not lead to more violence,” Harris posted on “X” on the day of the assassination.
Dean Withers, a young podcaster, debater, and known adversary of Kirk, made a post on “X” addressing the event and what this means about gun violence.
“Charlie Kirk is dead. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, who were in attendance at the rally. This is sick, deplorable, and incredibly sad. If you do not condemn this, fuck you. If you want to end gun violence, you can never celebrate it,” Withers stated.
The current Governor of California, Gavin Newsom, expressed his disappointment and anger towards this act of political violence through an “X” post.
“The attack on Charlie Kirk is disgusting, vile, and reprehensible. In the United States of America, we must reject political violence in EVERY form,” Newsom expressed.
Although condolences are coming from both parties, there are people finding it hard to express sympathy because of Kirk’s stance on 2nd Amendment rights.
“I think it’s worth to have a cost of unfortunately some gun deaths every single year to that we can have the 2nd Amendment. That is a prudent deal. It is rational. Nobody talks like this. They live in a complete alternate universe,” Kirk stated.
