Charlie Kirk, conservative commentator and founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot on Wednesday while speaking to students at Utah Valley University as part of his “American Comeback Tour.” Kirk, 31, was killed by a single gunshot to the neck in what authorities are treating as an assassination.
Details of the Shooting
According to witnesses, the shooting occurred during an on-campus event organized by Kirk’s organization, Turning Point USA. Video footage shows Kirk addressing students when a single gunshot rang out. He was struck by a bullet fired from a nearby building approximately 200 yards from his location. Students described scenes of chaos and bloodshed as people fled the area.
Raydon Chene, a student witness, told CBS News, “There’s just blood pouring out everywhere. His eyes kind of rolled back. The crowd dropped to the ground… They told us all to run, so we all ran out.” The university immediately placed an evacuation order and canceled classes.
Suspected Weapon Recovered
Authorities recovered a suspected weapon believed to have been used in the shooting. FBI agents reported finding a .30-06 caliber bolt-action rifle wrapped in a towel near the campus. Ammunition associated with the rifle reportedly contained engraved messages referencing “transgender and antifascist ideology,” though investigators have not disclosed the exact wording. Investigators noted one spent round and three unspent rounds in the rifle’s magazine.
Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason detailed the shooter’s movements on campus, indicating the individual arrived at 11:52 a.m. and fired from a rooftop location. Officials also recovered a footwear impression, a palm print, and forearm imprints for forensic analysis.
Ongoing Investigation
The suspect remains at large. The FBI released images of a person of interest and offered a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to an arrest. FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino are traveling to Utah to oversee the investigation.
Authorities previously detained and interrogated a person in connection with the case but released them after clearing them of suspicion. Investigators have emphasized the importance of allowing law enforcement to conduct their work without harassment of individuals previously identified as persons of interest.
The FBI, in coordination with local law enforcement and U.S. Marshals, has received over 130 tips since establishing a public tip line.
National Reactions
Political leaders from across the spectrum condemned the attack. President Donald Trump announced plans to posthumously award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Former Presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama also condemned the shooting. Vice President JD Vance traveled to Utah to escort Kirk’s remains back to Phoenix, Arizona.
Governor Spencer Cox of Utah said, “Those responsible will be held fully accountable. Violence has no place in our public life.” California Governor Gavin Newsom echoed the sentiment, calling the attack “disgusting, vile, and reprehensible.”
The State Department warned that foreign nationals who glorify or rationalize Kirk’s death could face restrictions or actions.
Remembering Charlie Kirk
Kirk, who lived in Scottsdale, Arizona, with his wife and two children, was a prominent figure in conservative media and politics. He founded Turning Point USA in 2012 at age 18, and the organization now has chapters in over 850 colleges nationwide. Known for his outspoken support of conservative policies and former President Donald Trump, Kirk had embarked on a multi-campus tour to engage students in political debate.
In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Turning Point USA described Kirk as a “martyr to the freedom of speech he so adored” and expressed condolences to his family.
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