Conservative figure Charlie Kirk fatally shot on a Utah university campus

Conservative Activist Charlie Kirk Assassinated During Utah College Event in Suspected Political Attack

OREM, Utah (AP) — Charlie Kirk, a nationally known conservative activist, founder of Turning Point USA, and one of former President Donald Trump’s closest political allies, was shot and killed Wednesday while speaking at a Utah Valley University event. Authorities have called the incident a targeted political assassination, sparking shockwaves across the nation and renewed concern about the growing threat of political violence in America.

Governor Labels Shooting a “Political Assassination”

Utah Governor Spencer Cox described the killing as a direct political attack.

“This is a dark day for our state and a tragic day for our nation,” Cox said. “I want to be very clear — this was a political assassination.”

Police confirmed that the shooter fired from a rooftop overlooking the Sorensen Center courtyard, where Kirk was addressing an audience of roughly 3,000 people under a tent emblazoned with the slogans “The American Comeback” and “Prove Me Wrong.”

Chaos Captured on Video

Social media footage showed Kirk speaking into a handheld microphone before a single gunshot rang out. The 31-year-old activist immediately clutched his neck as blood streamed from his wound, sending the crowd into panic. Gasps and screams filled the air as spectators fled the scene.

The Associated Press verified the videos, confirming they were recorded during a debate hosted by Kirk’s nonprofit organization.

Shooter Still at Large

Law enforcement said no suspect was in custody late Wednesday but confirmed they were actively searching for a person of interest. Two individuals detained earlier were released after being cleared of involvement.

Authorities have not publicly identified a motive, but the methodical rooftop attack has intensified national concerns over escalating threats of political extremism and violence.

Trump Calls Kirk a “Martyr for Truth and Freedom”

Former President Donald Trump announced Kirk’s death in a social media post, calling him “Great, and even Legendary.” In a later video statement from the White House, Trump described Kirk as a “martyr for truth and freedom” and blamed what he called “the dangerous rhetoric of the radical left.”

Trump ordered U.S. flags lowered to half-staff in Kirk’s honor.

Bipartisan Condemnation

Political leaders from both sides swiftly denounced the attack.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom called the shooting “disgusting, vile, and reprehensible.”

Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, herself a survivor of gun violence, expressed “heartbreak” and extended condolences to Kirk’s wife and young children.

The widespread condemnation underscored the gravity of the moment as the nation grapples with rising instances of politically motivated attacks.

Security Concerns and Campus Lockdown

According to the Utah Department of Public Safety, six campus police officers and Kirk’s private security team were on duty at the event. Still, witnesses said the security presence felt inadequate for such a high-profile appearance.

The university was immediately evacuated, classes canceled, and a shelter-in-place order issued while heavily armed officers canvassed nearby neighborhoods.

Charlie Kirk’s Political Rise

Kirk co-founded Turning Point USA in 2012 at just 18 years old. What began as a small youth conservative organization soon grew into a powerful movement advocating for limited government, low taxes, and free speech on college campuses.

By 2016, Kirk and his group had aligned with Trump’s presidential campaign, helping rally a new generation of Republican voters. Over the years, Kirk became a frequent presence on cable news, where he leaned heavily into culture war issues and was embraced as one of Trump’s most vocal defenders.

A Nation Reckons With Political Violence

Kirk’s assassination comes amid a troubling wave of political attacks, including:

The murder of a Minnesota state lawmaker and her husband in June.

A firebombing of a Colorado parade linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict.

An arson attack at Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s home in April.

And the shooting of Trump during a campaign rally last year.

These incidents have fueled bipartisan alarm, but consensus on solutions remains elusive.