A prominent right-wing activist and commentator in the United States was fatally shot during a public event at a Utah university, an incident the state's governor has described as a political assassination. Charlie Kirk, a influential ally of former President Donald Trump, was killed on September 10, 2025.
The shooting occurred at approximately 12:20 p.m. local time at Utah Valley University in the city of Orem. Kirk was addressing a large outdoor crowd of an estimated 3,000 people when a gunshot rang out. Video footage from the event showed the moment the shooting interrupted his speech. Authorities stated that the shooter likely fired from a rooftop at a significant distance from the stage.
According to reports, just moments before the shot was fired, an audience member was questioning Kirk about gun violence in America. The commentator was responding to a query about the number of mass shooters in the last decade when the incident occurred. The event was the first stop on a planned 15-university tour across the country.
In the hours following the shooting, there was confusion from authorities regarding a potential suspect. The Governor of Utah stated at a press conference that police were interviewing a person of interest. However, the state's Commissioner of Public Safety stated that the shooter remained at large. Later that evening, a federal official announced that an unnamed subject had been detained for questioning and then released, emphasizing that the investigation was ongoing. No specific details about a possible suspect were publicly released.
The killing has been met with a significant response from national figures. Former President Donald Trump ordered all U.S. government flags to be flown at half-staff until September 14 in Kirk's honor. In a social media post, Trump called Kirk "Great, and even Legendary" and stated that no one understood the heart of American youth better. Both Republican and Democratic politicians issued statements condemning the political violence and expressing support for Kirk's family.
Kirk was a highly influential figure, serving as the co-founder of Turning Point USA, the largest conservative youth organization in the country. He hosted a popular podcast and radio program and had millions of followers on social media platforms. He was credited with playing a key role in mobilizing young voter support in recent elections.
This incident is the latest in a series of attacks on political figures in the United States, underscoring a sharp rise in political violence. These include two assassination attempts on former President Trump in 2024, an arson attack on a governor's residence, and the murders of state lawmakers earlier in the year. The United States is currently experiencing its most sustained period of political violence since the 1970s.
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