Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk has died at age 31 after being shot at a speaking event at Utah Valley University, President Donald Trump announced Wednesday.
“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead,” the president wrote on Truth Social. “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.”
“It is with a heavy heart that we confirm that Charles James Kirk has been murdered by a gun shot that took place during Turning Point USA’s ‘The American Comeback Tour’ campus event at Utah Valley University on September 10th, 2025,” a statement from Turning Point USA provided to the Daily Caller said. “May he be received into the merciful arms of our loving Savior who suffered and died for Charlie. We ask that everyone keep his family and loved ones in your prayers. We ask that you please respect their privacy and dignity in this time.”
Turning Point USA also sent an email to staff informing them of Kirk’s death, according to communications reviewed by the Caller.
“It is with a heavy heart that we, the Turning Point USA leadership team, write to notify you that earlier this afternoon Charlie went to his eternal reward with Jesus Christ in Heaven,” part of the email reads.
A gunshot rang out while Kirk was talking to students for an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. A spokesperson with the university told the Caller that Kirk was shot from a building about 200 yards away. Security was seen on video carrying Kirk’s body away from the scene.
Kirk was rushed to the hospital after being shot and was in critical condition before he eventually passed away, Turning Point USA said in official statements and sources close to Kirk’s team told the Caller.
A local college student who was at the event told the Caller that Kirk was answering a question about religion when “all of a sudden, out of nowhere, there was this loud bang, just one shot, bang. And I saw him hit in the neck, and I saw red gushing blood out of it.”
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel said Wednesday evening that authorities first apprehended, then released a “subject” in connection with the case.
A spokesperson for Utah Valley University originally claimed a suspect was in police custody, but The New York Times later reported that the individual detained was not the shooter.
“UVU is leading the investigation with support from Orem Police Department and other local federal, and state agencies. There is still a suspect at large,” a statement from the City of Orem, where Utah Valley University is located, said. “There is no call to shelter in place at this time. If you see something suspicious, please report it to police dispatch by calling 911 or the non-emergency number 801-229-7070”
Kirk was a prominent member of the conservative movement, leading the influential youth organizations Turning Point USA and Turning Point Action.
The founder and CEO of Turning Point was best known for touring universities and speaking about conservative principles, and in some cases, debating students with opposing values.
Kirk founded Turning Point USA, a 501(c)(3) group, in 2012. Its focus was on empowering conservative students to run for student government positions and mobilizing them to support conservative values on campus and beyond.
Turning Point Action, a 501(c)(4), was created in 2019 to serve as a grassroots activist organization. Turning Point Action helped support President Donald Trump in his 2024 re-election campaign.
Turning Point USA regularly holds conservative youth conferences with thousands of attendees, including America Fest, the Young Women’s Leadership Summit and the Student Action Summit.
Through his relentless activism, Kirk became a close ally of President Donald Trump and members of his administration.
Kirk was listed on the 2018 Forbes 30 Under 30 in Law & Policy and was given an honorary doctorate degree from Liberty University.
Kirk married his wife, Erika, in 2021. The couple has two children, a three-year-old daughter and a one-year-old son.
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