Charlie Kirk Shot and Killed at Utah Event

Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk (Right bias) was shot and killed at one of his “Prove Me Wrong” events at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah on Wednesday afternoon.

Update 9/11/2025: The weapon apparently utilized was recovered by authorities overnight, and ammunition recovered along with the weapon reportedly bore transgender and antifacist messages. The FBI has released images of the suspect. President Donald Trump will posthumously award conservative activist Kirk with a Medal of Freedom, he announced Thursday. 

The Details: Bystanders reported he was shot in the neck during a Q&A with students. Video footage posted on X showed Kirk speaking under a tent before being apparently shot and falling off of his stool. Spectators then fled from the event in a panic. FBI Director Kash Patel posted on X that a suspect was in custody, however was released after interrogation. In a press conference, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox called the shooting a "political assassination."

Kirk's Status: According to multiple sources, including President Donald Trump on Truth Social, Kirk has been confirmed dead. 

For Context: Prove Me Wrong is part of a touring event series hosted by Kirk where he sits down and invites people to debate him or ask questions on topics such as current events and politics. Associated Press (Left) noted that immediately before he was shot, an audience member asked Kirk, “Do you know how many transgender Americans have been mass shooters over the last 10 years?”

Key Quotes: President Donald Trump posted on X, "The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. 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."

How the Media Covered It: During live coverage within minutes of the shooting, MSNBC (Left) host Katy Tur asked guest Matthew Dowd about the political environment that surrounded the shooting. He said, "We don't know any of the details of this. We don't know if this was a supporter shooting their gun off in celebration, we have no idea...I always go back to, hateful thoughts lead to hateful words lead to hateful actions, and unfortunately I think that's the evironment we're in." Tur interrupted Dowd and changed the subject. New York Times (Lean Left) reported that the shooting received "bipartisan condemnation" as both Republicans and Democrats took to social media to denounce the violence. Just the News (Lean Right) called Kirk "one of the most influential voices on the right in recent years." Fox News (Right) host Will Cain paid tribute to Kirk, calling him a "true friend" and a "major influential presence" in the US. Cain went on to say that Kirk's "influence knew no bounds" and that he "changed America for the better." This is a developing story and will be updated.

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