Charlie Kirk, a prominent political influencer, was tragically shot and killed at a debating event in Utah Valley University on Wednesday, September 10. Former President Donald Trump confirmed Kirk’s death on social media a few hours later.
In a statement on Truth Social, Trump expressed his condolences saying, “The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie.”
He further added, “He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!”
To honor Kirk, Trump ordered that flags across the United States be flown at half-mast. “In honor of Charlie Kirk, a truly Great American Patriot, I am ordering all American Flags throughout the United States lowered to Half Mast until Sunday evening at 6 P.M,” Trump announced on social media.
Kirk was a staunch supporter of President Trump and was well-known as a conservative activist. He was frequently seen at the White House and attended Trump’s presidential inauguration in January.
At 18 years old, Kirk co-founded Turning Point USA (TPUSA), a political group aimed at promoting conservative values in educational institutions. He had both fervent supporters and critics, with fans applauding his advocacy for free speech.
The fatal incident occurred during a debate organized by Turning Point USA, where Kirk was speaking before an audience of about 3,000 people.
Just 20 minutes into his talk, gunfire erupted. Prior to the shooting, an audience member approached the microphone to engage Kirk in a discussion about mass shootings, asking, “Do you know many transgender Americans have been shooters over the last 10 years?”
Kirk responded with ‘too many,’ and shortly after, the shots were fired. He was seated under a white gazebo in Utah at the time of the attack.
Eyewitness accounts and videos from the event described the chaos that followed, with Kirk visibly recoiling in his chair as attendees began to flee.
Emma Pitts, a reporter for Deseret News, was present at the debate and recounted to the BBC, “We all dropped to the ground, and I want to say we sat like that for about 30 to 45 seconds, and then everyone around us got up and started running.”
Kirk was quickly taken to a hospital, but he sadly did not survive his injuries. Although two individuals were initially detained for questioning following the shooting, they have since been released as authorities confirmed they have no connection to the incident.
The Department of Public Safety emphasized that the investigation is ongoing. The suspect remains at large, and a manhunt is in progress.
The shooter is believed to have fired from the roof of UVU’s Losee Center, which is located near where Kirk was speaking.