Utah, USA – Conservative activist and close Trump ally Charlie Kirk has been shot dead while speaking at a university event in Utah, sparking shockwaves across the political spectrum and prompting a nationwide manhunt for his killer.
Kirk, 31, was addressing a crowd of about 3,000 people at Utah Valley University (UVU) when a single gunshot rang out at around 12:20 local time. Witnesses say he was answering a question about gun violence when he suddenly recoiled, blood visible on his neck, before collapsing.
“I heard a loud bang, and then I saw his body – in slow motion – fall over,” one eyewitness told reporters.
“Everyone dropped to the ground. After about 30 seconds, people started running,” said Emma Pitts of Deseret News.
Kirk was rushed to hospital in a private car but later died of his injuries. His wife and two young children, who were present at the event, escaped unharmed.
Manhunt Underway
Authorities have described the incident as an assassination. They believe the fatal shot was fired from the roof of UVU’s Losee Center by a suspect dressed in dark clothing. CCTV footage is being examined, while videos circulating on social media appear to show a figure on the roof—though their authenticity has not been confirmed.
Two people were briefly detained after the attack but were later released, with police saying they had “no current ties” to the shooting. The Utah Department of Public Safety confirmed the investigation remains active, with heavily armed officers sweeping the campus and surrounding neighborhoods.
Political Shockwaves
Hours after the shooting, President Donald Trump confirmed Kirk’s death in a post on Truth Social, calling him “The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk” and ordering flags nationwide to be flown at half-mast.
Condolences have poured in from across the political divide:
- Joe Biden said there is “no place in our country for this kind of violence.”
- Barack Obama described the shooting as a “despicable act.”
- International leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, condemned the murder as an assault on democracy.
Kirk’s Legacy
Kirk rose to prominence as co-founder of Turning Point USA, a conservative student group that gained influence on liberal-leaning campuses. Known for his fiery debates and daily podcast, he was both celebrated as a defender of free speech and criticized as a promoter of divisive rhetoric.
A trusted Trump ally, Kirk was a fixture at the White House during the former president’s first term and played a key role in mobilizing young voters in the 2024 election.
A Dangerous Climate
Kirk’s death comes amid a rising wave of politically motivated violence in the US. Analysts say the country has recorded nearly 150 such attacks in the first half of this year alone, nearly double last year’s pace.
His assassination follows two attempts on Trump’s life during the 2024 campaign and a string of attacks on political leaders and public figures, raising concerns about escalating political extremism.
From the Oval Office late Wednesday, Trump condemned the shooting as part of “radical left political violence,” remarks that critics warn could further inflame tensions.
For now, Utah remains on high alert as police intensify their search for the gunman who killed one of the most visible—and controversial—voices of America’s conservative movement.