US president Donald Trump said on Wednesday that conservative influencer Charlie Kirk has died after being shot during an event on a university campus in Utah.
“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,” Mr Trump said on Truth Social.
“He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!”
Prominent US conservative commentator Mr Kirk was shot while speaking at a campus event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday, a university spokesperson and Mr Kirk’s spokesperson said.
The university spokeswoman said Mr Kirk was struck about 20 minutes after he began speaking on campus. She said a suspect had fired at Mr Kirk from the Losee Center, a building about 200 yards away. She said Mr Kirk’s security took him away after the shooting.
There is confusion over whether the person who shot Mr Kirk was in custody. FBI director Kash Patel said tonight the suspect for the shooting is now in custody. However, a person taken into custody in the immediate aftermath of the custody was subsequently released.
Speaking at a press conference, Beau Mason, head of the Utah Department of Public Safety, suggested the suspect was still at large.
The subject for the horrific shooting today that took the life of Charlie Kirk is now in custody. Thank you to the local and state authorities in Utah for your partnership with @fbi.
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) September 10, 2025
We will provide updates when able.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox described the death of Mr Kirk as an “assassination”.
“I’ve been in touch with President Trump, with FBI director Kash Patel. We are completely aligned with our state and federal partners as we work through this case,” Cox said at a news conference.
“I want to be very clear that this is a political assassination.”
He said a “person of interest” was now in custody.
Responding to the news of Mr Kirk’s death, US vice-president JD Vance said: “Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.”
Joe Biden, former US president, said : “There is no place in our country for this kind of violence. It must end now. Jill and I are praying for Charlie Kirk’s family and loved ones.”
“Charlie Kirk was murdered for speaking truth and defending freedom,” said Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “A lion-hearted friend of Israel, he fought the lies and stood tall for Judeo-Christian civilization. I spoke to him only two weeks ago and invited him to Israel. Sadly, that visit will not take place. We lost an incredible human being. His boundless pride in America and his valiant belief in free speech will leave a lasting impact.”
British foreign secretary Yvette Cooper said: “Deeply shocked by the killing of Charlie Kirk in Utah. Political violence has no place in our societies. Our thoughts and condolences are with his family.”
The president’s son Donald Trump, jnr, said: “I love you brother. You gave so many people the courage to speak up and we will not ever be silenced.”
Former US president Barack Obama said “this kind of despicable violence has no place in our democracy”.
We don’t yet know what motivated the person who shot and killed Charlie Kirk, but this kind of despicable violence has no place in our democracy. Michelle and I will be praying for Charlie’s family tonight, especially his wife Erika and their two young children.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) September 10, 2025
US Senator Mike Lee, a Republican from Utah, said: “This murder was a cowardly act of violence, an attack on champions of freedom like Charlie, the students who gathered for civil debate, and all Americans who peacefully strive to save our nation. The terrorists will not win. Charlie will.”
Mr Kirk was the head of Turning Point USA, the US’s preeminent conservative youth organisation. Andrew Kolvet, a spokesperson for Turning Point USA, confirmed Mr Kirk was shot in the neck.
Videos taken at the event that were circulating online showed people running at the sound of a gunshot. One video appeared to show Mr Kirk’s head jerking back as he delivered remarks. He can be seen briefly moving his hand to his neck as he falls off his chair.
Earlier, Mr Donald Trump posted on social media in support of Mr Kirk. “We must all pray for Charlie Kirk, who has been shot,” he wrote on Truth Social. “A great guy from top to bottom. GOD BLESS HIM!”
FBI Director Kash Patel said on X: “Our thoughts are with Charlie, his loved ones, and everyone affected.”
Robert F Kennedy jr paid tribute to him as an ”eloquent truth teller”.
Once again, a bullet has silenced the most eloquent truth teller of an era. My dear friend Charlie Kirk was our country's relentless and courageous crusader for free speech. We pray for Erika and the children. Charlie is already in paradise with the angels. We ask his prayers for…
— Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) September 10, 2025
Mr Kirk emerged in recent years as one of the most influential young conservatives in the country and established himself as a close ally of Mr Trump. He cofounded Turning Point USA in 2012 and became a fixture on college campuses, where he hosted rallies like the one in Utah that often draw large crowds.
Even though he was not part of the administration, his influence in the White House was significant. Since the November election, he helped vet prospective appointees, testing their loyalty to Mr Trump. — Reuters/New York Times
