AMERICA is still reeling after Donald Trump ally Charlie Kirk was assassinated in broad daylight by a masked rooftop sniper during a college debate in Utah.
The 31-year-old conservative activist was shot once in the neck while speaking to students at Utah Valley University in Orem on Wednesday afternoon, collapsing in front of a horrified crowd.
Charlie Kirk hands out hats before speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah[/caption]
Officials have branded it a “targeted political assassination” and confirmed the gunman remains at large.
Here’s everything we know so far about the killing, the hunt for the shooter, and the fallout shaking the nation.
The brutal assassination of Charlie Kirk
Kirk was doing what he was best known for – sparking fierce campus debate – when the horror unfolded at Utah Valley University.
The event, scheduled for noon, was the first stop on Turning Point USA’s “American Comeback Tour,” drawing a large student crowd under a white tent in the Fountain Courtyard.
He had just been asked a question about mass shootings and began to respond, “Counting or not counting gang violence?” when, at 12.10pm local time, a single gunshot cracked across the campus.
The bullet tore through his carotid artery, sending him crashing back in his chair as blood poured from his neck.
“Get down! Get down!” panicked students screamed, as graphic footage captured the chaos.
Bystanders hit the ground, scrambling for cover, while others rushed to help Kirk as security hustled him away.
Clips from the scene appeared to show a dark figure on the rooftop of the Losee Center 200 yards away, where investigators believe the sniper was positioned.
Another video showed a person sprinting across the roof seconds after the fatal shot.
Kirk was rushed to hospital in a private car, but despite frantic efforts he was pronounced dead hours later.
The first public word came at 1.02pm when Donald Trump urged supporters to pray for his ally.
By 1.37pm, UVU had shut down the campus and ordered students to leave.
Officials confirmed Kirk was in critical condition shortly after, but at 2.40pm Trump announced the devastating news: “The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead.”
FBI Director Kash Patel said later in the afternoon that a suspect had been briefly taken into custody, though none remain detained.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox branded the killing a “political assassination,” declaring it a dark day for the state and the country.
Donald Trump’s statement
President Donald Trump announced Charlie Kirk’s death in a statement on Truth Social on Wednesday.
The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead.
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.
Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family.
Charlie, we love you!
Source: Truth Social
Anatomy of the shooter
Investigators say the sniper fired from the roof of the Losee Center, directly overlooking the courtyard stage.
Police scanner chatter described a figure armed with a “long rifle,” wearing jeans, a black shirt, a black vest, and a black mask.
Videos shared on social media appear to show a dark figure lying on the rooftop moments before the shooting, then fleeing across the building seconds after Kirk was hit.
Multiple people were initially detained, including George Zim, who was later jailed for obstruction of justice, but none have been charged with the murder.
The FBI confirmed on Wednesday night that no suspect remains in custody, while heavily armed police continue to sweep Orem neighborhoods in a door-to-door hunt.
One of America’s most decorated snipers, Sergeant Nicholas Ranstad, has broken down the killing – saying the assassin’s success came down to meticulous planning, high ground, and a powerful weapon.
The longtime Donald Trump ally was doing a Q&A with students with his nonprofit Turning Point USA when he was hit[/caption]
Disturbing videos circulating on X captured the moment Kirk was shot[/caption]
A dark figure is seen appearing to lay on top of the roof[/caption]
Ranstad, who once held the US record for the longest kill in Afghanistan, described the UVU courtyard as a “fishbowl” for a shooter, the Daily Mail reported.
“That’s a buffet for someone who wanted to kill someone. It looked like a fishbowl, like an amphitheater, and high ground is money for shooters. Shooting down is easy.” he said.
He slammed the “super light” security and argued the 200-yard shot was achievable for anyone with basic range practice, calling the suspect likely “an internet shooter, not a sniper or trained soldier.”
Dismissing claims of an AR-15, he said the sound indicated “a high-powered rifle… possibly bolt action,” such as a .308 or 7.62.
Despite the apparent precision, Ranstad believes Kirk’s neck wound showed the gunman misjudged wind and angle in a bid for a headshot.
“His adrenaline would have been going crazy, probably got a trigger pull,” he said, adding that Kirk “was dead on the spot” from an arterial bleed.
Crucially, he suggested the calm, one-shot strike pointed to a planned escape: “Normally it’s crazy people who shoot 30 rounds. This was one shot, that was it.”
Security failures
The ease with which the assassin struck has already triggered furious questions about security at the outdoor rally.
Witness Tyler McGettigan told NBC: “I was expecting when I got here that I’d have to pass through some kind of security, but that just wasn’t a thing.
Law enforcement tapes off an area after Charlie Kirk was killed[/caption]
The crowd desperately flee the scene after shots were heard[/caption]
Police and first responders’ vehicles appear at the scene at Utah Valley University[/caption]
“No one checked the barcode or the QR code. There was no checkpoint to get in. It was literally, anyone could walk in if they wanted.”
Former Utah Rep. Jason Chaffetz, who was at the event, recalled the chaos: “As soon as the shot went out, everybody hit the deck and everybody started scattering and yelling and screaming, as you might imagine.”
Trump’s fury
Trump quickly turned to Truth Social to share his grief.
Confirming Kirk’s death on Truth Social, he wrote: “The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead.”
Hours later he appeared on video, saying he was “filled with grief and anger at the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk” and branding it a “dark moment for America.”
The president hailed Kirk as “a patriot who devoted his life to the cause of open debate” and vowed to crack down on “radical left political violence.”
He linked the attack to last year’s assassination attempt on himself and the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
Trump also ordered all flags flown at half-staff until Sunday.
President Donald Trump filmed a statement from the Oval Office following the death of Charlie Kirk[/caption]
Charlie Kirk speaks on stage with President Donald Trump at America Fest 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona[/caption]
Tributes pour in
Kirk leaves behind his wife, Erika, and their two young children.
She shared a Bible verse after his death: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Turning Point USA paid tribute to its co-founder, writing: “May he be received into the merciful arms of loving Savior, who suffered and died for Charlie.”
Fox News host Will Cain broke down live on air while announcing the news, while Donald Trump Jr. declared: “I love you brother. You gave so many people the courage to speak up and we will not ever be silence.”
Former US President Barack Obama wrote: “We don’t yet know what motivated the person who shot and killed Charlie Kirk, but this kind of despicable violence has no place in our democracy.
“Michelle and I will be praying for Charlie’s family tonight, especially his wife Erika and their two young children.”
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described Charlie Kirk’s death as “heartbreaking.”
Writing on X, Starmer said “a young family has been robbed of a father and a husband.”
Meanwhile, Elon Musk spearheaded the outcry on social media, blaming Democrats for the brutal assassination.
He said on X: “The Left is the party of murder.”
Charlie Kirk’s rise to hero of the youth MAGA movement
CHARLIE Kirk transformed conservative youth activism from a marginal movement into a powerful force before his assassination on a college campus at 31.
Kirk was an American conservative political activist, author, and media personality who rose to prominence as the co-founder of Turning Point USA (TPUSA).
He launched the organization in 2012 when he was just 18 years old, with the goal of promoting conservative principles to high school and college students and became a significant figure in American politics by building a massive grassroots network, framing himself as a “culture warrior.”
The rise of Turning Point USA
Turning Point USA’s mission was to counter what Kirk and his allies saw as liberal dominance on American college campuses.
It quickly grew to prominence through his use of provocative activism and viral social media campaigns.
They created watchlists of professors pushing leftist propaganda and organized events to debate students on controversial topics.
The strategy helped them gain a significant following and financial backing from wealthy conservative donors.
Kirk’s ability to connect with a new generation of conservatives was one of his most notable impacts.
He cultivated a style of political engagement that was heavily reliant on social media, podcasts, and confrontational public appearances.
His organization’s events, such as the annual Student Action Summit, drew thousands of young attendees and featured prominent conservative speakers, creating a new kind of political ecosystem for young people who felt alienated from traditional conservative groups.
A key ally of Donald Trump
Kirk also became a staunch supporter and ally of President Donald Trump.
He was the youngest speaker at the 2016 Republican National Convention and served as an aide to Donald Trump Jr. during the presidential campaign.
This relationship solidified his position within the Republican Party’s “MAGA” (Make America Great Again) wing, and his organization became an integral part of Trump’s political apparatus.
Through his popular podcast, “The Charlie Kirk Show,” and his frequent appearances on conservative media, Kirk was a powerful voice in the pro-Trump movement.
He often framed political issues as a “spiritual battle” between good and evil and championed a pugnacious, populist form of conservatism.
His influence was so significant that after Trump’s 2024 victory, Kirk was credited with helping to mobilize younger voters for the campaign.
Influence on culture and social issues
Beyond traditional politics, Kirk’s influence extended deeply into social and cultural issues.
He was a vocal opponent of “woke” ideology, particularly in education and media.
He promoted traditional values, often encouraging young women to prioritize becoming homemakers and mothers over professional careers.
Kirk also openly criticized programs related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
He was also a major proponent of Christian nationalism, arguing that there is no true separation of church and state in the United States.
The Turning Point Empire
Kirk’s activism led to the expansion of the Turning Point brand into a larger political and media empire.
He launched Turning Point Action, a political advocacy group focused on voter mobilization, and Turning Point Faith, aimed at engaging evangelical Christian communities in conservative politics.
These affiliated organizations allowed him to broaden his reach and influence beyond college campuses, into a more mainstream political force.
A legacy cut short
Kirk founded Turning Point USA in 2012 at just 18, dropping out of college to grow it into a conservative powerhouse.
He went on to inspire spin-offs such as Turning Point Action and the Professor Watchlist, and built a personal brand as a Trump loyalist and Fox News regular.
His mission was to “make conservatism cool” by taking the fight to America’s universities, often with confrontational Q&A sessions that became viral staples.
The UVU stop was the first on his new nationwide tour, billed as an “American Comeback.”
Kirk was the founder and president of Turning Point USA[/caption]
He leaves behind his wife Erika Frantzve[/caption]
Charlie was also a young dad-of-two[/caption]
Fallout and fury
The fallout has been swift and divisive.
House Speaker Mike Johnson led a prayer for Kirk in Congress, while Democrats and Republicans clashed over who bears responsibility for the climate of political violence.
South Park pulled a controversial recent episode that mocked Kirk after critics accused it of inspiring hatred against him.
Online, conservatives accused liberals of “cheering” his murder, further deepening political divides.
The killing has already been added to the long and bloody history of American political violence – a roll call that stretches back to JFK’s assassination, through the Capitol riot, plots to kidnap Nancy Pelosi and Michigan’s governor, and at least 300 violent political incidents since January 6, 2021.
Analysts warn that in a nation awash with firearms, partisan disputes can too easily turn lethal.
Utah Valley University will remain closed until Monday as investigators scour the scene and a nation reels from the loss of one of the right’s most outspoken voices.
Attendees sobbed after the terrifying incident[/caption]
Attendees hold candles during a candlelight vigil and prayer event for Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk on September 10, 2025 in Seattle, Washington[/caption]
