Right-wing activist Charlie Kirk fatally shot at speaking event in Utah : NPR
Charlie Kirk distributes hats before speaking at the University of Utah Valley in Orem, Utah, Wednesday September 10, 2025. (Tess Crowley / The Deseret News via AP)
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Charlie Kirk, a right -wing activist and an ally of President Trump, died on Wednesday after a shooting at an outdoor event at the University of Utah Valley, according to the organization of Kirk Turning Point USA and Trump.
On Wednesday evening, FBI director Kash Patel said that a person of interest had been published after being interviewed by the police. Another person, who was detained during the event and videos of him disseminated online, did not correspond to the description of the shooter, the authorities said.
“Our investigation continues and we will continue to disclose information in the interest of transparency,” said Patel.
In a video message published on Social truthTrump said he was “filled with sorrow and anger” on the murder of Kirk. The president also congratulated Kirk’s work with young Americans, calling him “martyr for truth and freedom”.
“Charlie Kirk has traveled the nation with happily of all those interested in the debate in good faith,” he said.
Trump added: “My administration will find each of those who have contributed to this atrocity and other political violence, including the organizations that finance and support it, as well as those who deal with it, our judges, those responsible for the application of laws and all those who bring order to our country.”
At a press conference earlier Wednesday, UTAH governor Spencer Cox described Kirk’s death as “political assassination”.
“It’s a dark day for our state. It’s a tragic day for our nation,” he said.
A crowd looks at Charlie Kirk to appear at Utah Valley University on Wednesday in Orem, Utah. Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, spoke during his “American tour” when he was shot in the neck and killed. (Photo by Trent Nelson / The Salt Lake Tribune / Getty Images)
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Beautiful Mason, commissioner of the Utah Ministry of Public Security, said that a single blow had been fired around 12:20 p.m. local time at the campus event with Kirk. Mason added that Kirk was quickly taken to the hospital, where he died later.
The suspected shooter was dressed in “all dark clothes” and shot at long distance, potentially on a roof, according to Mason. He added that investigators examine television images in closed circuit.
Police chief of the University of Utah Valley, Jeff Long, said that there were six campus police officers who worked the event, including some in simple clothes. Long estimated that there were a crowd of 3,000 people present. The chief said Kirk also traveled with security staff and that the University Police Service had coordinated with his team.
In a press release, Turning Point USA said: “It is with a heavy heart that we confirm that Charles James Kirk was murdered by a shot that took place during the campus event” The American Comeback Tour “by Turning Point USA”.
Earlier, Trump wrote in a social article of truth: “The big, and even legendary, Charlie Kirk, died. No one understood or had the hearts of young people from America better than Charlie.”
In a subsequent position, Trump said that he had ordered that all the American flags were lowered to half of the staff until Sunday evening to honor Kirk, who was 31 years old.
The conservative conservative organization of Kirk launched its “American tour returning to university. It was the first of the 15 events planned for university campuses across the country.
Over the years, he has gained popularity for his appearances on university campuses and joined students on political issues.
Emma Pitts, a journalist from Deseret News who was at the University of Utah Valley event, said that she was full of students. She added that there were a handful of demonstrators on a balcony, but most of the crowd was impatient to see Kirk.
Charlie Kirk appears at Utah Valley University on Wednesday in Orem, Utah.
Trent Nelson / The Salt Lake Tribune / Getty Images
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While Kirk was about to answer a question, Pitts said that she had heard a loud noise.
“It looked like a firecracker, then I just saw so much blood out of the left side of Charlie’s neck, then he became soft,” said Pitts at NPR at NPR Everything well considered.
Videos circulating on social networks seem to show Kirk sitting on a chair and holding a microphone in a tent. A blow is fired and Kirk seems to catch his neck and fall from his chair. NPR did not check the authenticity of video clips.
In a statement, the University of Utah Valley said its campuses will be closed until Sunday, September 14.
“We are shocked and saddened by the tragic death of Charlie Kirk, a guest from our campus. Our hearts go to his family,” the statement said. “While we cry with our students, our teachers and our staff who witnessed this unspeakable tragedy, UVU campuses will be closed from September 11 to 14.”
