Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA and a father of two, was fatally shot during a campus event at Utah Valley University Wednesday.
President Donald Trump confirmed Kirk’s death in a post on Truth Social.
“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, has died. Charlie understood and embodied the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America like no other. Trump wrote, “He was loved and admired by everyone, especially me, and he is no longer with us. “Melania and I extend our condolences to his beautiful wife Erika and family. “We love you, Charlie!”
The FBI stated that “the subject” of the shooting is in custody.
Kirk died after being taken to a hospital in critical condition following a shooting Wednesday at a Utah event, according to a law enforcement official.
According to video footage from the event, Kirk was shot while speaking to the crowd from under a white pop-up tent. Following the shot, the crowd dispersed, with onlookers exclaiming, “Run, run, run!”
Treanor said the shooting occurred around 12:20 p.m.
One video, obtained exclusively by Fox News Digital, shows Kirk moments before his assassination. The video depicts students gathered around a white tent with the words “THE AMERICAN COMEBACK” and “PROVE ME WRONG.”
Manhunt
The manhunt for the assassination suspect continued into Wednesday night. The FBI previously stated that they had a “subject” in custody, but then announced their release.
“The subject in custody has been released after an interrogation by law enforcement,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “Our investigation continues and we will continue to release information in interest of transparency.”
On Wednesday afternoon, campus police asked students to call a hotline and be escorted off public transportation. UVU has 44,000 students, making it the largest public university in the state.
“Police will come and escort you out of the building,” the university said in an X statement. “Public transportation is available at Orem Station by pedestrian bridge.”
In a statement, UVU stated that police are escorting students off campus: “UVU campus is closed. Classes were canceled. Those on campus, remain in place until police officers can safely transport you off campus. Police are currently going from building to building, escorting people off campus. The roads to campus are currently closed.
UVU announced Wednesday night that its campuses would be closed from September 11 to 14.
“All classes (in-person or virtual), campus events, and administrative operations will be halted during this period. Please plan accordingly and make any necessary changes to your schedules,” UVU advised.
“We had a speaker, Charlie Kirk, who was invited by a student group, Turning Point USA, who was speaking on campus today at noon,” according to a statement.
“At around 12:20, shots were fired from a building about 200 yards away from the speaker. To the best of our knowledge, the individual was struck and immediately taken away by his security personnel,” Treanor stated previously. Treanor stated that the campus is closed for the day.
Utah Valley University issued a campus-wide alert, stating that “a single shot was fired on campus toward a visiting speaker.” “Police are currently investigating.”
Utah Valley University stated that its campus is “closed until further notice.”
“An ongoing police investigation. If you are still on campus, follow the police directions.
“Kirk was scheduled to appear at Utah Valley University on Wednesday as part of his American Comeback Tour, with a stop at Utah State University later this month. His appearances have sparked protests and petitions from student groups opposed to his views.
Just hours before the attack, Kirk wrote in a now-deleted social media post: “WE. ARE. SO. BACK.” Utah Valley University is pumped up and ready for their first stop on the American Comeback Tour.”
The fall 2025 leg of the tour began at the University of Utah in Orem and is “a nationwide campus tour aimed at equipping students with the tools to push back against leftwing indoctrination in academia and reclaim their right to free speech.”
Nation’s past presidents mourn Charlie Kirk’s assassination
Every living former president of the United States has publicly responded to Kirk’s fatal shooting.
Former President Joe Biden condemned the act, praying for Kirk’s family and describing the violence as intolerable in America.
“There is no place in our country for this type of violence. It must end now. He wrote, “Jill and I are praying for Charlie Kirk’s family and loved ones.
Former President Barack Obama expressed shock and sorrow, urging Americans to reject political violence and promoting national unity.
“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,” he said. “Michelle and I will be praying for Charlie’s family tonight, especially his wife Erika and their two young children.”
Former President George W. Bush also spoke out, saying, “Today, a young man was murdered in cold blood while expressing his political beliefs. It occurred on a college campus, where the free exchange of opposing viewpoints should be protected. Violence and vitriol must be removed from the public square.
Members of opposing political parties are not our adversaries; they are our fellow citizens. May God bless Charlie Kirk and his family, and may He lead America to civility.”
Former President Bill Clinton expressed sadness and anger over Charlie Kirk’s murder, adding, “I hope we all go through some serious introspection and redouble our efforts to engage in passionate, yet peaceful debate.” Hillary and I will keep Erika, their two young children, and their family in our prayers.
Trump posted on social media, “We must all pray for Charlie Kirk, who was shot. From top to bottom, he is an excellent person. “God bless him!”
Vice President J.D. Vance issued a statement on X, saying, “Say a prayer for Charlie Kirk, a genuinely good guy and a young father.”
Shortly after the shooting, Utah Senator Mike Lee posted to X, “I am closely monitoring the situation at Utah Valley University.” Please join me in praying for Charlie Kirk and the students who gathered there.”
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth wrote, “Prayers for Charlie Kirk. An extraordinary Christian, American, and human being. May the healing hand of Jesus Christ rest on him.”
In a statement, the U.S. Secret Service expressed their “deepest sympathies” to the Kirk family.
“The safety and security of our protectees is the U.S. Secret Service’s top priority. President Trump receives the highest levels of U.S. Secret Service protection and the agency adjusts our protective posture as needed to mitigate evolving threats,” they said. “Out of concern for operational security, we cannot discuss the means and methods used for our protective operations.”
Kirk married former Miss Arizona USA, Erika Frantzve, in May 2021. They have two children: a 3-year-old daughter and a one-year-old son.
He has written four books, the most recent of which is “The MAGA Doctrine: The Only Ideas That Will Win The Future.” Kirk is the host of The Charlie Kirk Show podcast, which has been downloaded over 120 million times in the last year and consistently ranks among the top ten shows on Apple Podcasts’ charts.
