Trump Ally Charlie Kirk, 31, Shot and Killed During University Event in Utah

Conservative activist Charlie Kirk, the influential founder of the youth organization Turning Point USA and a prominent ally of Donald Trump, was shot and killed during an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. He was 31. The attack, which occurred in the middle of a question-and-answer session, has sent shockwaves across the American political landscape and comes amid a surge in political violence across the country.

President Donald Trump confirmed Kirk’s death and led the tributes, calling him “The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk.” In a heartfelt post on his Truth Social platform, Trump praised Kirk’s unique ability to connect with young Americans. “No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us,” Trump wrote, extending his sympathies to Kirk’s wife, Erika, and family. In a mark of national mourning, the President ordered all American flags to be flown at half-mast until Sunday evening.

The shooting happened while Kirk was speaking at a debate hosted by his organization. Videos circulating on social media show him engaged in a tense exchange with an audience member about gun violence. Moments after Kirk responded to a question about mass shooters, a single gunshot rang out.

The footage shows Kirk clutching his neck as blood becomes visible, followed by screams and panic as the audience flees. Authorities detained one person after the shooting, but FBI Director Kash Patel later confirmed the individual was released after interrogation and was not the suspect. The investigation is ongoing, and it remains unclear if a gunman is still at large.

Kirk, who co-founded Turning Point USA in 2012 at just 18, became a powerhouse on the American right through his confrontational style, frequent media appearances, and staunch support for Donald Trump. He worked closely with Donald Trump Jr. and became a fixture at Trump rallies and conservative conferences.

His event at Utah Valley University had drawn opposition, with a petition to cancel it citing safety concerns, but the university allowed it to proceed on First Amendment grounds. The shooting is the latest in a string of politically motivated violent incidents in the US, including the assassination of a Minnesota lawmaker and a recent assassination attempt on Trump himself.