Charlie Kirk was in the midst of discussing gun violence when tragedy struck and he was fatally shot. The co-founder of Turning Point USA, renowned for inviting college students to engage in "Prove Me Wrong" debates where they could challenge his conservative viewpoints, was responding to a query about mass shootings when gunfire erupted on the Utah Valley University campus on September 10.
As captured in video footage acquired by NBC News, a student posed the question to Kirk: "Do you know how many mass shootings there have been in America over the last 10 years?" The 31-year-old had just begun to reply, asking, "Counting or not counting gang violence?" when a gunshot suddenly reverberated through the crowd.
Kirk was approximately 20 minutes into his speaking engagement when the shooting occurred, a university spokesperson informed NBC News. He was swiftly transported to a nearby hospital following the incident, as confirmed by a representative from Turning Point USA. "It is with profound sorrow that we confirm Charles James Kirk has been tragically murdered by a gunshot," the representative shared in a statement shortly after the event. "May he be embraced by the merciful arms of our loving Savior, who suffered and died for Charlie."
As UVU shuttered its campus, authorities apprehended a "person of interest," according to Utah Governor Spencer Cox. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed on X (formerly Twitter) that "the individual responsible for today's horrific shooting that claimed the life of Charlie Kirk is now in custody," adding that officials would provide updates on the case "as soon as possible." (The person of interest has since been released.)
In the aftermath of Kirk's untimely death, President Donald Trump, whom the political activist had supported, penned a heartfelt message on Truth Social: "No one understood or possessed the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie." "He was cherished and admired by ALL, especially me," the POTUS continued, "and now, he is no longer with us."
Kirk is survived by his wife, Erika Frantzve, and their two children.
