Charlie Kirk, a prominent American conservative activist and strong supporter of former President Donald Trump, lost his life to a tragic act of violence during an event at Utah Valley University. Footage captured the moment he was shot while addressing an outdoor crowd. No one else was injured during the incident. Kirk, who was 31 years old, had just begun his speaking tour aiming to engage with university audiences across the nation with his “American Comeback Tour”.
Prior to the shooting, Kirk was responding to questions about mass shootings and transgender individuals. In video clips, he was seen interacting with students on these topics before being struck by a shot to the neck, causing him to collapse from his chair.
The scene after the shooting at Utah Valley University, showing Kirk’s error-prone fall and the immediate dispersal of the attendees. Kirk had security personnel at the event, and he was also accompanied by his family. The shooting took place at approximately 12:10 pm local time (18:10 GMT) in the courtyard of the university, with reports suggesting the shot may have been fired from the Losee Center’s roof, about 180 meters (200 yards) away from where Kirk was speaking. No charges have been filed yet, as authorities are still investigating.
Charlie Kirk was a key figure in American conservative politics, co-founding the influential nonprofit conservative advocacy group Turning Point USA at the age of 18. He became a central figure in the network of pro-Trump influencers and played a significant role in political campaigns. Kirk also had a robust media presence, with a large following and various publications to his credit. Despite his success, his active engagement in political debates made him a polarizing figure.
The community and political spectrum have reacted with shock and condemnation. Both Democrats and Republicans, along with former U.S. President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, expressed their dismay and mourning. Trump ordered all American flags to be lowered to half-staff until Sunday evening in honor of Kirk.
The campus of Utah Valley University has been closed in the aftermath, with all classes canceled. Students were advised to remain secure until they could be safely escorted off-campus. The event marks a sad day for the nation, with calls to end political violence and stand in support of the Kirk family.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/9/11/who-was-charlie-kirk-what-we-know-about-the-shooting-and-the-suspect?traffic_source=rss
