Conservative activist and Turning Point USA co-founder dies aged 31; campus locked down as manhunt continues
CHARLIE Kirk, the US conservative activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA, was shot dead during a speaking event at Utah Valley University (UVU) in Orem, Utah, on Wednesday (September 10). President Donald Trump confirmed his death on social media and ordered flags across the United States to be flown at half-staff until Sunday.
Witness videos show a single shot fired as Kirk answered questions outdoors on UVU’s campus, the first stop of his 14-city “American Comeback Tour.” He appeared to be struck in the neck and collapsed as attendees fled. The shot was believed to have been fired from a nearby building around 200 yards away. He was taken to hospital but later died. The incident was first reported locally at about 12:26pm MDT (7:26pm BST).
UVU placed the campus on lockdown, cancelled classes and began evacuations building by building with armed officers and tactical teams. The FBI and ATF are assisting local police.
Authorities initially indicated someone was in custody, but later clarified that no suspect had been detained. As of press time, the shooter remained at large and a search was continuing.
Trump called Kirk “a truly great American patriot” and ordered flags lowered. Senior Republicans and Democrats—including House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer—condemned political violence and offered condolences. Utah’s governor Spencer Cox said state and federal agencies would bring the perpetrator to justice.
Turning Point USA confirmed Kirk’s death in a message to staff and supporters, praising his Christian faith and influence among young conservatives. Kirk, from Illinois, founded the organisation in 2012 and became a close ally of Trump, hosting a popular podcast and high-profile campus events that often drew both protests and large crowds. He is survived by his wife, Erika, and their two young children.
The shooting comes amid heightened concern about politically motivated violence in the US. Leaders from across the political spectrum urged calm and rejected violence “in every form.” UVU remained closed on Wednesday evening local time while the investigation continued.
This is a developing story and will be updated as police release further details.
