OREM, Utah — Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of the conservative student group Turning Point USA, was fatally shot in what authorities are calling a targeted assassination during an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday, September 10, 2025.
The shooting occurred amid a charged political climate, sparking a massive law enforcement response and a nationwide manhunt led by the FBI. The suspected gunman fled the scene and remains at large. Authorities have recovered a rifle and have released photos of the suspect, offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
The assassination has sent shockwaves through the political world, drawing intense reactions from both sides of the aisle. President Donald Trump hailed Kirk as a “martyr” and has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff. Vice President JD Vance was photographed helping to carry Kirk’s casket onto Air Force Two, a powerful image that circulated widely online.
The killing has also exposed the nation’s deep divisions. While allies and conservative leaders mourned the loss of a prominent free speech advocate, some online celebrated the violence, leading to reported job losses for individuals who publicly praised the shooting.
Prominent conservative commentator Ben Shapiro, among others, vowed to continue Kirk’s work, stating the movement for free speech would not be silenced. The tragedy has intensified a national conversation about the alarming rise of political violence and the safety of public figures.
