September 10, 2025, Orem, Utah
Influential right-wing activist Charlie Kirk was fatally shot while speaking at an event on the campus of Utah Valley University on Wednesday. The incident, which was captured on video and has sent shockwaves across the political spectrum, occurred during one of Kirk’s “Prove Me Wrong” public debates, part of his organization’s “The American Comeback Tour.” Utah Governor Spencer Cox has since labeled the killing a “political assassination,” and President Donald Trump confirmed Kirk’s death in a post on his social media site, Truth Social.
According to witnesses and social media videos from the scene, a single gunshot rang out as Kirk, who was seated under a tent, was answering a question from an audience member. The video shows Kirk reacting by clutching his neck before he collapses, as panicked attendees scream and run for cover. He was immediately transported to a hospital but later succumbed to his injuries.
Initial reports regarding the suspect were conflicting, with some news outlets initially stating that a “person of interest” had been taken into custody. However, law enforcement officials later clarified that the shooter remains at large, and a person who was briefly detained was released. Police have stated that the shot was fired from a nearby building, and they are actively investigating the incident with the assistance of the FBI. The university, which is the largest public university in the state, was placed on a “secure in place” order and has canceled all classes until further notice.
The attack has drawn swift and widespread condemnation from across the political spectrum, with both Democratic and Republican officials decrying the act of violence. President Trump ordered flags to be flown at half-staff and issued a presidential proclamation in honor of Kirk, whom he called a “Great, and even Legendary” figure. The shooting has brought renewed attention to the rising threat of political violence in the United States, an issue that has escalated in recent years and has affected figures from all sides of the political aisle.
