Conservative activist and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk was shot earlier this afternoon at Utah Valley University during an event he was hosting. He was pronounced dead hours later.
Officials said the suspect fired at Kirk about 20 minutes after he began speaking. The attacker fired from the Loose Center of the university, more than 100 yards away.
Kirk was pronounced dead at the scene.
Minutes later, his spokesperson Andrew Kolvet confirmed his death. Former President Donald Trump posted about it on Truth Social shortly after.
“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. 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!” Trump wrote.
About 15 minutes later, Trump posted again, ordering all American flags in the United States to fly at half-staff until Sunday evening.
Although Kirk was a conservative activist who often clashed with Democratic Party policies, numerous Democratic leaders issued statements following his death, including former President Joe Biden, former President Barack Obama, and California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
“The attack on Charlie Kirk is disgusting, vile, and reprehensible. In the United States of America, we must reject political violence in EVERY form,” Newsom said.
House Speaker Mike Johnson paused votes in the chamber to lead a prayer for Kirk. When Democrats declined to participate—arguing there had been no moment of silence for a mass shooting earlier the same day at Evergreen High School in Colorado—the decision sparked outrage among Republicans.
According to FBI Director Kash Patel, a suspect is in custody.
