Charlie Kirk, the founding father of the conservative youth activist group Turning Level USA, has died after he was shot throughout an occasion at Utah Valley College on Wednesday, President Donald Trump stated.
“The Nice, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is useless,” Trump stated on social media. “Nobody understood or had the Coronary heart of the Youth in the US of America higher than Charlie. He was liked and admired by ALL, particularly me, and now, he’s not with us. Melania and my Sympathies exit to his lovely spouse Erika, and household. Charlie, we love you!”
A single shot was fired on the Orem campus towards Kirk, a visiting speaker, shortly after midday, the college stated.
Legislation enforcement officer works at Utah Valley College, the place right-wing activist, commentator, Charlie Kirk, an ally of President Donald Trump, was shot throughout an occasion, in Orem, Utah, Sept. 10, 2025.
Jim Urquhart/Reuters
“He was hit and brought from the situation by his safety,” the college stated.
A suspect within the taking pictures stays at massive, in keeping with Orem police, who’re supporting Utah Valley College within the investigation. The college had beforehand stated a suspect was in custody.
Kirk, 31, was taken to a hospital after being shot, in keeping with Turning Level USA, saying in an earlier assertion, “We’re praying for him at the moment.”
The daddy of two younger youngsters was a Trump confidant who was on the on the forefront of a burgeoning conservative youth motion. Often called the “Trump whisperer,” Kirk was deeply concerned in vetting prime positions for the administration following the election and was in fixed communication with prime advisers and the president himself.
“It is horrific. It is probably the most horrible issues I’ve ever seen,” Trump instructed ABC Information Chief Washington Correspondent Jonathan Karl.
“He was a terrific man,” Trump stated. “He was a very good man. He was an unbelievable man. No person like him.”
FBI and ATF brokers are on the scene, in keeping with Legal professional Normal Pam Bondi.
FBI Director Kash Patel stated the company “stands in full assist of the continued response and investigation.”
On this July 15, 2024, file photograph, CEO of Turning Level USA Charlie Kirk speaks on stage on the primary day of the Republican Nationwide Conference in Milwaukee, Wis.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Photos, FILE
There was a dialogue about shootings when the one shot was fired.
Utah Valley scholar Luke Pitman, who witnesses the taking pictures, instructed Salt Lake Metropolis ABC affiliate KTVX that he heard a “massive bang.”
“We thought it was confetti. Then, everybody began ducking down,” he instructed the station. “After which, I look over at Charlie Kirk and I see blood coming from his neck.”
Utah Sen. Mike Lee stated he’s “monitoring the state of affairs at Utah Valley College carefully.”
“Please be part of me in praying for Charlie Kirk and the scholars gathered there,” he stated on social media earlier Wednesday.
U.S. right-wing activist and commentator Charlie Kirk seems at a Utah Valley College talking occasion in Orem, Utah, U.S. September 10, 2025.
Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune through Reuters
Vice President JD Vance known as Kirk “a genuinely good man and a younger father” whereas urging prayers within the aftermath of the taking pictures.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox stated he’s being briefed “following the violence directed at Charlie Kirk” throughout the conservative political activist’s go to to the campus.
“These accountable will likely be held totally accountable. Violence has no place in our public life. People of each political persuasion should unite in condemning this act,” he stated on X.
The college was the primary cease this fall for Turning Level USA’s “American Comeback Tour,” which is touring to a number of faculty campuses across the nation.
On this Could 28, 2025, file photograph, Turning Level USA co-founder Charlie Kirk stands at the back of the room as President Donald Trump speaks throughout a swearing in ceremony for interim U.S. Legal professional for Washington, D.C. Jeanine Pirro within the Oval Workplace of the White Home in Washington, D.C.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Photos, FILE
An occasion that includes Kirk at Utah Valley College on Wednesday was anticipated to incorporate a “show me mistaken” desk, in keeping with the tour’s web site.
Forward of Kirk’s go to to Utah Valley College, some college students began an on-line petition asking college directors to cease him from coming.
The tour has deliberate stops in Utah, Colorado, Minneapolis, Virginia and elsewhere, in keeping with its web site.
Utah Valley College’s campus is closed and lessons have been canceled till additional discover, the college stated. There isn’t a name to shelter in place at the moment, in keeping with Orem Mayor Dave Younger, who urged these to report something suspicious to police.
“We’re devastated by at present’s occasions,” Younger stated in an announcement. “Any such violence ought to by no means occur wherever, not to mention in our neighborhood. That is in direct opposition to our values, which embody household, unity, respect and religion.”
Legislation enforcement officers work at Utah Valley College, the place right-wing activist, commentator, Charlie Kirk, an ally of President Donald Trump, was shot throughout an occasion, in Orem, Utah, Sept. 10, 2025.
Jim Urquhart/Reuters
The incident sparked fast condemnation from leaders on each side of the political aisle.
“The assault on Charlie Kirk is horrifying and this rising sort of unconscionable violence can’t be allowed in our society,” Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, stated on X.
Fellow Democratic governor, California’s Gavin Newsom, stated on X that the “assault on Charlie Kirk is disgusting, vile, and reprehensible. In the US of America, we should reject political violence in EVERY kind.”
Republican Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo stated the “assault was sickening and heartbreaking, and there’s no place — ever — for violence in American politics.”
Kirk had two youngsters, a 3-year-old woman and a 1-year-old boy, together with his spouse, Erika.
He based the conservative advocacy group Turning Level USA in 2012, on the age of 18.
The group helped to advertise Trump, particularly with highschool and college-age voters. The group and Kirk had an enormous following with conservatives, notably males, and he was capable of parlay that recognition into assist for Trump’s marketing campaign.
He was thought of an enormous star on the far proper by many conservative pundits and seen as main the following era of Trump’s MAGA motion.
It is a growing story. Please test again for updates.
