Charlie Kirk, the right-wing internet personality and cofounder of Turning Point USA, was shot on Wednesday afternoon at Utah Valley University (UVU), where he was a featured speaker at an event. He later died from his injuries, according to Kirk’s spokesperson.
“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead,” President Donald Trump said in a post 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, 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!”
Trump later added in a post on Truth Social that, “in honor of Charlie Kirk,” he had ordered “all American flags throughout the United States lowered to Half Mast until Sunday evening at 6 pm.”
After Kirk was shot, UVU immediately went into lockdown, according to Deseret News. UVU campus police initially said that a suspect was in custody. However, the university later confirmed that a suspect had not been apprehended. Local officials say the shooter remains at large.
UVU police did not answer a call from WIRED. A TP USA spokesperson did not immediately respond to WIRED’s request for comment. The White House did not immediately respond to WIRED’s request for comment.
“Eternal rest unto him, O Lord,” Vice President JD Vance posted on X following Kirk’s death.
Videos of the shooting began circulating on social media Wednesday afternoon, shortly after initial reports of the incident emerged. The footage shows Kirk seated outdoors beneath a white tent. A gunshot rings out, and a wound suddenly appears on the left side of his neck, according to multiple videos of the incident reviewed by WIRED. He appears to lose a substantial amount of blood as he slumps to the side, eventually collapsing from his chair. Chaos ripples through the crowd as the attendees start to scatter.
“After everyone realized there was a shot, there were screams and panicked students running away,” a UVU student told WIRED by text message. The student, who asked not to be named for fear of retaliation, said they were “directly across” from Kirk on a nearby ledge when the shot was fired. The incident occurred around 12:30 pm local time, they said.
Utah law permits firearms to be carried on campus so long as the individual has a valid permit and keeps the weapon concealed. Utah Valley University’s website says it abides by that standard, pointing to Utah Code 76-10-505.5, which bars firearms on school property, but exempts those authorized under the state’s concealed weapon law.
Kirk’s stop in Utah was part of TP USA’s American Comeback Tour, where he staged his signature “prove me wrong” debates on campus. At Utah Valley University and Utah State University, the events sparked intense backlash: More than 6,000 students and faculty signed petitions urging Utah State administrators to cancel Kirk’s appearance later this month, arguing his presence would conflict with campus commitments to inclusivity. Critics described the tour as a “campus martyr” strategy designed to generate viral content whether through protests or cancellations.
Kirk, 31, cast the appearances as a defense of free speech and a chance to promote his brand of Christian nationalist conservatism.
Turning Point USA, which began in 2012 as a student group, has grown into a well-funded hub of right-wing activism. Along with its political advocacy arm, Turning Point Action, the organization has become a key player in the MAGA movement, channeling millions of dollars into “chase the vote” campaigns backed by election-denying candidates.
Additional reporting by Makena Kelly, Jake Lahut, Caroline Haskins, and Vittoria Elliott.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
