OREM, Utah – Charlie Kirk, the prominent conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed Wednesday during an event at Utah Valley University. He was 31.
The shooting, which authorities are investigating as an act of domestic terrorism, occurred on the afternoon of September 10, 2025. According to initial reports from law enforcement, Kirk was engaged in his signature style of student debate and discussion when a single gunman approached and shot him in the neck.
The alleged shooter, identified by the FBI as Robert Westman, was quickly apprehended at the scene. While a precise motive is under investigation, federal authorities have preliminarily classified the attack as being motivated by ideological hatred.
Kirk was a polarizing but undeniably influential figure in American politics. As the co-founder and leader of Turning Point USA, he dedicated his career to mobilizing young conservatives on high school and college campuses across the country. He was known for his forceful debating style and his unwavering support for former President Donald Trump.
News of his death prompted an outpouring of grief and condemnation from conservative leaders and figures across the political spectrum.
Former President Donald Trump posted a lengthy statement on his social media platform, Truth Social, calling Kirk a “martyr for truth and for America” and announcing he had ordered flags to be flown at half-staff. Israeli Prime Benjamin Netanyahu and former President Barack Obama also issued statements condemning the violence, with Obama urging for “a de-escalation of heated rhetoric.”
Kirk is survived by his wife and their two young children.
The assassination has immediately intensified national debates on political polarization, the safety of public figures, and gun violence. The incident marks a somber and violent turn in the nation’s already fraught political climate, sparking calls for unity even as it deepens partisan divides.
