Charlie Kirk shot and killed at Utah campus event, Donald Trump says: Live updates

Who is the suspect in the Charlie Kirk shooting?

How do universities balance free speech and safety post-shooting?

Conservative activist and Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk died after being shot in the neck during an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, on Wednesday.

President Donald Trump confirmed the death of his close ally, sharing on Truth Social, "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."

Livestream video of the event showed crowds of people running from the university’s courtyard where Kirk, 31, was speaking when the shooting occurred.

The university said the campus is closed and classes are canceled until further notice. "Police are investigating. Leave campus immediately. Follow police instructions," the school said in a post on X.

The university had said a suspect was taken into custody as of 1:15 p.m. MT. However, Scott Trotter, a university spokesman, told the New York Times police have determined the person who was taken into custody was not the shooter. Campus police declined to comment when reached by USA TODAY.

FBI Director Kash Patel said law enforcement officials were closely monitoring the attack.

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“Agents will be on the scene quickly and the FBI stands in full support of the ongoing response and investigation,” Patel said on social media.

Turning Point USA mourns death of founder

Turning Point USA, the largest conservative youth organization in the country, said in a social media post just before 6 p.m. EDT, “It is with a heavy heart that we confirm that Charles James Kirk has been murdered by a gunshot.”

“May he be received into the merciful arms of our loving Savior, who suffered and died for Charlie,” the statement continued. The non-profit organization Kirk co-founded confirmed the event took place during an event for its “The American Comeback Tour.”

“We ask that everyone keep his family and loved ones in your prayers,” the organization said. “We ask that you please respect their privacy and dignity at this time.” 

Former President Joe Biden sends condolences to Charlie Kirk’s family 

Former President Joe Biden offered his condolences to Kirk’s family on social media.

 "There is no place in our country for this kind of violence. It must end now,” Biden wrote on X.  “Jill and I are praying for Charlie Kirk’s family and loved ones." 

– Terry Collins

JD Vance reacts to Charlie Kirk's death

Vice President JD Vance shared Trump's statement confirming Kirk's death on X.

"Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord," Vance said.

Who is Charlie Kirk?

Kirk became a national figure as a conservative influencer and as the founder of Turning Point USA, an organization that pushes for conservative politics on high school and college campuses. 

In 2024, he spoke at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where he gave a speech focusing on what Kirk says he heard from young people around the U.S.

He was married to Erika Kirk, an entrepreneur, and the father of two children. Their daughter was born in August 2022, and they had a son in 2024. 

Kirk had 5.3 million followers on X and hosted a popular podcast and radio program, "The Charlie Kirk Show." He had also recently co-hosted "Fox & Friends" on Fox News.

He was part of an ecosystem of pro-Trump conservative influencers – including Jack Posobiec, Laura Loomer, Candace Owens and others – who have helped to amplify the president's agenda. Kirk frequently attacked mainstream media and engaged in culture war issues around race, gender and immigration, often in a provocative style.

Charlie Kirk: Young women, conservative influencer wants you to have babies and work less

Video shows crowd react to the shooting 

Videos of the shooting posted to social media show Kirk seated beneath a tent and speaking about gang violence into a microphone when he’s hit in the neck. Kirk slumps over as he begins to bleed from the gunshot wound.

Social media platforms, including YouTube and X, have begun removing videos of the attack.

A video taken from the top of the venue where Kirk was speaking shows members of the crowd reacting to the attack by dropping to the ground and then running from the scene. One shot can be heard in the video. 

Additional videos of the event show the aftermath of the shooting. Attendees duck for cover and return to pick up items they had abandoned.

--Michael Loria

Charlie Kirk killing comes amid recent political violence

The motive for the attack on Kirk is unknown, but it comes after a string of recent political violence across the United States.

A man was indicted by a federal grand jury in July for allegedly fatally shooting Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman, her husband Mark and their dog, and shooting and injuring State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette.

In April, another man was charged with crimesincluding attempted murder after setting fire to a portion of Gov. Josh Shapiro's home in Pennsylvania.

In 2024, Trump was grazed by a bullet during a campaign event in Pennsylvania and targeted by a second assassination attempt two months later. The suspect accused in the foiled attack at his Florida golf club is currently standing trial.

Kamala Harris 'deeply disturbed' by Utah shooting

Former Vice President Kamala Harris said in a statement she is "deeply disturbed by the shooting in Utah."

"Doug and I send our prayers to Charlie Kirk and his family," Harris said on social media. "Let me be clear: Political violence has no place in America. I condemn this act, and we all must work together to ensure this does not lead to more violence."

Gavin Newsom denounces political violence after Charlie Kirk shooting

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat who interviewed Kirk on a recent podcast episode, weighed in calling the attack "disgusting, vile, and reprehensible."

"In the United States of America, we must reject political violence in EVERY form," wrote Newsom.

RFK Jr. responds to Charlie Kirk shooting

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr, who has participated in several of Kirk's podcasts and with whom he held a Make America Healthy Again Town Hall, sent well wishes to the conservative activist. "We love you Charlie Kirk. Praying for you," Kennedy wrote on X.

– Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy

Utah leaders briefed on Charlie Kirk shooting

Utah Governor Spencer Cox shared on X that he was being "briefed by law enforcement following the violence directed at Charlie Kirk." Cox said "Americans of every political persuasion must unite in condemning this act."

U.S. Sen. John Curtis, R-Utah, said in a statement that his "heart goes out to Charlie, those in attendance, and their families."

“My team and I will continue to gather more information as it becomes available and are closely monitoring the situation. I am grateful for the swift response of law enforcement and first responders working to secure the campus,” Curtis said. 

Kirk shot after controversy over speaking engagement

Utah Valley University was the latest stop on Kirk’s The American Comeback Tour with his organization Turning Point USA. The event was scheduled for 12 p.m. local time on Sept. 10.

Almost 1,000 people had signed a petition to bar Kirk from speaking at the university. More than 6,800 people had signed a petition requesting that faculty prevent Kirk from speaking at a similar event at Utah State University.

“Allowing him to speak on our campus would not only misrepresent the values we hold dear but also create an environment where divisive rhetoric could flourish,” the petition read.  

The university affirmed its "commitment to free speech, intellectual inquiry, and constructive dialogue" and urged faculty and staff to keep institutional communication neutral in a statement days before the shooting.

"UVU, including its leaders speaking on behalf of the institution, does not take official positions on political, social, or cultural controversies unless they directly impact our mission, operations, or core values," the statement said. "This neutrality ensures that our campus remains a true marketplace of ideas, where faculty, staff, and students are empowered to express viewpoints without institutional bias."