Right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk died after being shot at an outdoor event at Utah Valley University yesterday.
President Donald Trump announced Kirk had died in a Truth Social post at 4:40 p.m.
“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead,” Trump’s post said. “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.”
At 5:39 p.m., Turning Point USA, the organization Kirk founded, confirmed his death in a statement on X.
“It is with a heavy heart that we confirm that Charles James Kirk has been murdered by a gunshot that took place during Turning Point USA’s ‘The American Comeback tour’ campus event at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025,” the statement read. “May he be received into the merciful arms of our loving Savior, who suffered and died for Charlie.”
UVU said Kirk was shot at about 2:10 p.m. EDT, then was taken away by his security. Following the shooting, the campus closed and police began escorting people away. A 3:37 p.m. post by UVU on X urged students to leave campus and follow police instructions.
Videos show Kirk answering questions about the demographics of mass shooters before being shot in the neck, followed by students ducking and running after the gunshot rang out.
According to the Associated Press, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson was arrested as a suspect for the murder. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said Robinson indicated to his family he was responsible and currently seems to have acted alone. The AP said Robinson’s father worked with a pastor to encourage his son to turn himself in.
Two people were detained and released in relation to the shooting before the current suspect was detained.
An elderly man, George Zinn, was detained shortly following the shooting and then released, according to reports from NBC.
At 6:21 p.m., FBI Director Kash Patel posted on X that there was someone in custody for the shooting. Patel made a subsequent post at 7:59 p.m. saying the subject had been released.
There have been no updates about a possible suspect as of 8:50 p.m.
NBC also reported that according to a student, there was no security in place at the event. The student said although the event required a ticket, there was no checkpoint to scan tickets.
Kirk launched Turning Point USA in 2012. The institution focuses on organizing and training students in conservative principles. Kirk and his associates were widely known for going to colleges, often in more liberal parts of the country, and debating students on politics.
Kirk had a positive relationship with Trump, who spoke at Turning Point USA events. Kirk was a supporter of the Make America Great Again movement.
“In honor of Charlie Kirk, a truly Great American Patriot, I am ordering all American Flags throughout the United States lowered to Half Mast until Sunday evening at 6 P.M.,” Trump posted on Truth Social at 5:02 p.m.
Around the same time Kirk was shot, a shooting at a high school outside of Denver left three students injured, the Associated Press reported. The suspected shooter was among the injured students. The AP reported it is unclear how the suspect was shot, as a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office said none of the law enforcement officers at the scene fired their weapons.
This story is developing. Check DailyCampus.com for updates.
This story was updated on Sept. 13 to include information about the suspect arrested in the shooting.