Trump supporter Charlie Kirk was shot in the throat at an event at a university in Utah.

Donald Trump confirms that Charlie Kirk is dead. This happened after he was shot during an event at a university in Utah.

He was loved and admired by everyone, especially me, and now he is no longer with us, Trump writes on Truth Social.

Melania and my sympathy goes out to his beautiful wife, Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!.

A university spokesman said the suspect in the shooting has not been arrested, Reuters reports. A person was arrested shortly after the shooting, but that person has now been released.

Kirk was shot about 20 minutes into a lecture at a university in Orem, Utah.

Important role in Trump's party

Kirk was considered a highly influential figure on the right wing of American politics. He has been a strong supporter of Donald Trump for many years. He has also appeared with Donald Trump Jr. on several occasions.

At the Republican National Convention last summer, he was hailed as a political superstar. Events featuring him as a headliner were packed to the brim.

He has been called the youth whisperer on the right wing in the United States. In 2023–24, he and his organization raised over 70 million kroner. The money was largely used to campaign for Trump.

He does not hold a position in Trump's administration, but is said to have played a role in background checks on other candidates.

Shot in the throat

Videos circulating on social media show Kirk being shot in the throat while he was sitting inside a tent speaking to a large crowd.

The 31-year-old was then removed and taken away with his security team. He was taken to a hospital and underwent emergency surgery, a University of Utah spokesperson said. However, his life could not be saved.

Videos from the event show that chaos ensued after the shot was fired, and that the audience quickly fled the scene.

Jason Chaffetz, a former congressman from Utah, was present with his entire family.

“Charlie Kirk came to town. We were pumped up,” he says.

Chaffetz tells Fox News that there was some police presence at the scene, but too little.

"Utah is one of the safest places on the planet. This doesn't happen here," he says.

Chaffetz says Kirk was answering a question about transgender people and shootings when the shot was fired.

– A great guy from head to toe

President Donald Trump quickly posted a message on Truth Social asking everyone to pray for Charlie Kirk.

– A great guy, from head to toe, said the US president before later confirming his death.

FBI Director Kash Patel writes on X that the federal police are watching closely.

“The FBI fully supports the ongoing investigation,” Patel said.

Democrat and California Governor Gavin Newsom has also commented on the incident:

– The attack on Charlie Kirk is despicable, disgusting and reprehensible. In the United States, we must reject political violence in ALL forms.

Leading Democrats such as Chuck Schumer and Kamala Harris have issued similar messages, saying they are praying for Kirk. So have Bernie Sanders and Pete Buttigieg.

Led conservative organization

Kirk co-founded and led Turning Point USA, a conservative organization targeting young people at universities. In the 2023–24 election period, they raised and spent over $70 million.

Kirk was married to Erika Frantzve, Miss Arizona 2012. They had two young children. Kirk also had a daily podcast and was very active on social media.

He became close to the Trump family, and he was with Donald Trump Jr. when he visited Greenland.