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Shooting of Charlie Kirk
The campus of Utah Valley University in the area of the shooting (pictured here in 2004)
LocationUtah Valley University Orem, Utah, U.S.Coordinates40°16′39.1″N 111°42′50.4″W / 40.277528°N 111.714000°W / 40.277528; -111.714000DateSeptember 10, 2025 12:10 p.m. (MDT)TargetCharlie KirkAttack typeShootingWeaponFirearm[1]Deaths1 (Kirk)PerpetratorUnknown
On September 10, 2025, American right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk was fatally shot while onstage at Utah Valley University (UVU) in Orem, Utah.[1][2] Kirk was speaking at an open-air campus event, the first stop on a series of events planned by his Turning Point USA organization.
Background Main article: Charlie KirkCharles James Kirk was an American right-wing political activist, author, and media personality, known for being the co-founder and CEO of Turning Point USA.[3]
Kirk's Utah Valley University appearance was the first stop of the American Comeback Tour, a multi-campus series planned by Turning Point USA for the fall.[3] Kirk was treling with private security, while also hing security provided by university police and local authorities.[4] Prior to the event, a petition had circulated around calling on the university to not allow him to appear and speak, though the university stated that they would allow him on campus in accordance with free speech and open discussion policies.[5]
ShootingAt approximately 12:10 p.m. MT, Kirk, while speaking at an event, was shot in the neck from approximately 200 yards (180 m) away. Kirk was answering a question on low numbers of mass shootings committed by transgender people prior to the shooting.[6] He was asked "Do you know how many mass shooters there he been in America over the last 10 years?" Kirk responded, "Counting or not counting gang violence?", and was then shot.[7][8]
Multiple cellphone videos of the shooting were quickly published onto social media.[9] A man was taken into police custody, but was released when police determined he was not the shooter. The perpetrator is currently at large.[10][11]
Kirk's wife, Erika Frantzve, and their two children were in attendance.[12] Former US representative Jason Chaffetz, who was also in attendance, stated "As soon as the shot went out, everybody hit the deck and everybody started scattering and yelling and screaming".[13] Another witness told The New York Times that "no one really got down until the people in front of the stage did" and "people got down in wes."[14] An eyewitness reported to CBS News that there was "blood pouring everywhere" and that there were "no metal detectors or anything" at the venue.[15]
At 12:37 p.m., the university closed the campus, canceled classes, and urged all individuals to lee campus.[16] At 2:01 p.m., the university asked students to "secure in place until police officers can escort you safely off campus."[17]
Kirk was taken to Utah Valley Hospital, which is about 3 miles southeast from the university, in the neighboring city of Provo, Utah.[18] The Associated Press reported at approximately 1:45 p.m. that a source had told them that Kirk was in "critical condition" at the hospital.[19] Reuters reported he underwent surgery, citing a university spokesperson.[20]
The death was reported by President Donald Trump on his Truth Social account at 2:40 p.m., and confirmed by a spokesperson for Kirk.[21]
Investigation and campus responseUVU said a single shot was fired toward the visiting speaker and that Kirk was removed from the scene by his security team.[22][better source needed] Early reports from the university and several outlets stated that a suspect was in custody; later in the afternoon, UVU spokesperson Scott Trotter clarified that no suspect was in custody at that time.[23][7]
University officials said the shot appeared to come from a campus building roughly 200 yards (180 m) from the event area; local media identified the location as the Losee Center rooftop.[19][24]
Shortly after the shooting, UVU closed the campus, cancelled classes, and instructed students and staff to evacuate while police and federal agents responded.[25] The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were assisting at the scene.[26]
Reactions DomesticShortly after the shooting, President Donald Trump stated on Truth Social: "We must all pray for Charlie Kirk, who has been shot. A great guy from top to bottom. GOD BLESS HIM!"[27] Vice President JD Vance posted on X: "Say a prayer for Charlie Kirk, a genuinely good guy and a young father."[27] Kirk received messages of sympathy from Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, South Dakotan politician John Thune, Attorney General Pamela Bondi, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.[28][29][better source needed]
Politicians from the Democratic Party, including former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden,[11][13] former Vice President Kamala Harris,[13] California governor Gin Newsom,[30] Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer,[13] Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro,[31] Minnesota governor Tim Walz,[32] Vermont senator Bernie Sanders,[33] Pennsylvania senator John Fetterman,[31] and former congresswoman Gabby Giffords along wth her husband Senator Mark Kelly condemned the shooting.[11]
Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Mike Johnson called Kirk's death "a great heartbreak," describing him as "one of the strongest" conservative voices.[13] Johnson paused the House of Representatives during a series of votes to call for a moment of silence and prayer dedicated to Kirk,[11] while President Trump ordered all flags to be flown at half-staff until that Sunday at 6 p.m. in Kirk's honor.[13]
Kirk's killing came at a time of "deepening division and increasingly frequent violence in American political life", according to the Financial Times.[34] It followed the shooting of two Minnesota legislators in June, an arson attack on the Pennsylvania Governor's Residence in April, the killing of Brian Thompson in December 2024, and two assassination attempts on Donald Trump in 2024.[35]
Progressive streamer Hasan Piker, who had been due to debate Kirk later in September, called the killing a "terrifying incident", and said: "The reverberation of people seeking out vengeance in the aftermath of this violent, abhorrent incident is going to be genuinely worrisome."[35]
InternationalIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted a tweet offering his prayers for Kirk.[36]
See also
Crime portal
Utah portal
Congressional baseball shooting
Family Research Council shooting
References
^ a b "Conservative activist Charlie Kirk in critical condition after being shot at Utah college event". AP News. September 10, 2025. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
^ Bradner, Eric (September 10, 2025). "Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative activist and Trump ally, dies after shooting at Utah campus event". CNN. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
^ a b Deliso, Meredith (September 10, 2025). "Charlie Kirk dies after shot while visiting Utah university, Trump says". ABC News. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
^ "Charlie Kirk treled with private security, and university and local police were also assisting, aide says". CNN. September 10, 2025.
^ Sherman, -Mark (September 10, 2025). "Conservative activist Charlie Kirk shot at Utah Valley University event, in critical condition". PBS News. Associated Press.
^ Forster, Erkki (September 10, 2025). "I Saw Charlie Kirk Shot After Transgender Mass Shooting Question". The Daily Beast. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
^ a b "Charlie Kirk shot during event at Utah Valley University". The Guardian. September 10, 2025. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
^ "Live updates: Charlie Kirk killed at Utah Valley University event, Trump says". CNN. September 10, 2025. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
^ "Conservative influencer Charlie Kirk shot at Utah Valley University event". Reuters. September 10, 2025. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
^ Pitts, Emma; Terry, Eva (September 10, 2025). "Charlie Kirk shot at Utah event, suspect not in custody". Deseret News.
^ a b c d Levonson, Michael (September 10, 2025). "Live Updates: Charlie Kirk, Right-Wing Activist, Shot in Utah". The New York Times. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
^ "Kirk's family was in attendance, senator says". BBC News. September 10, 2025.
^ a b c d e f "Live updates: Charlie Kirk shot at Utah Valley University event". CNN. September 10, 2025. Archived from the original on September 10, 2025. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
^ Waller, Mark (September 10, 2025). "'People Got Down in Wes': A Witness's Account of the Charlie Kirk Shooting". The New York Times. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
^ "Charlie Kirk shooting witness says she saw "blood pouring out everywhere"". CBS News. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
^ @UVU (September 10, 2025). "Campus closed, classes canceled until further notice. Police are investigating. Lee campus immediately. Follow police instructions. https://uvu.info" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
^ @UVU (September 10, 2025). "UVU campus is closed. Classes cancelled. Those on campus, secure in place until police officers can escort you safely off campus. We ask for your patience throughout this process. We are providing updates as best as possible. This is an ongoing and unfolding event" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
^ Heuer, Mike (September 10, 2025). "Conservative activist Charlie Kirk shot and killed in Utah". United Press International. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
^ a b Brown, Bridget; Cormier, Bill. "Live updates: Conservative activist Charlie Kirk shot at Utah college event". AP News. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
^ "Live Updates: Charlie Kirk, Right-Wing Activist, Fatally Shot in Utah". The New York Times. September 10, 2025. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
^ "Conservative influencer Charlie Kirk shot dead at Utah university event". Reuters. September 10, 2025. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
^ @UVU (September 10, 2025). "Today at about 12:10 a shot was fired at the visiting speaker, Charlie Kirk. He was hit and taken from the location by his security" (Tweet). Retrieved September 10, 2025 – via Twitter.
^ Pitts, Emma; Terry, Eva (September 10, 2025). "Charlie Kirk shot at Utah event, suspect not in custody". Deseret News. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
^ "Political activist believed shot at Utah Valley University during speaking appearance". KSTU FOX 13 (Salt Lake City). September 10, 2025. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
^ "Charlie Kirk shot at campus event in Utah". Axios. September 10, 2025. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
^ "Conservative influencer Charlie Kirk shot at Utah university event". Reuters. September 10, 2025. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
^ a b Moreau, Jordan (September 10, 2025). "Conservative Activist Charlie Kirk Shot During Utah Debate". Variety. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
^ "'We must reject political violence' - politicians react to shooting". BBC News. September 10, 2025. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
^ @SteveScalise (September 10, 2025). "Tweet by Steve Scalise" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
^ "'Disgusting, vile, and reprehensible' | Newsom reacts to shooting of Charlie Kirk". KXTV. September 10, 2025.
^ a b "Pa. governor, lawmakers react to Charlie Kirk shooting, condemn violence". PennLive. September 10, 2025.
^ "Charlie Kirk shot: Political leaders react to shocking news about conservative activist". NJ.com. September 10, 2025. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
^ "Charlie Kirk dead, Donald Trump announces: latest updates". Newsweek. September 10, 2025. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
^ Fedor, Lauren (September 10, 2025). "Donald Trump ally Charlie Kirk shot dead in Utah". Financial Times. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
^ a b Leingang, Rachel (September 10, 2025). "Charlie Kirk's death shows political violence is now a feature of US life". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
^ "Jewish, Israeli leaders call for prayers and end to political violence after Charlie Kirk is shot". The Times of Israel. September 10, 2025. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved September 10, 2025.