President Donald Trump confirmed Wednesday that Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk had passed away after getting shot at Utah Valley University in Orem.
“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead,” Trump posted 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.”
“Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family,” the president added. “Charlie, we love you!”
The Utah Valley University Police Department previously confirmed to The Daily Signal that shots had been fired on campus.
“We have had shots fired on campus,” a police spokeswoman told The Daily Signal. “We’re asking everyone to shelter in place.”
University police confirmed in a 12:48 p.m. Mountain post online that a suspect is in custody. The police declined to comment further.
Turning Point USA confirmed to Fox News that Charlie Kirk, the group’s founder, had been shot.
Sources told CNN that Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, had been injured in the shooting at the university in Orem, Utah.
An unknown assailant opened fire at Kirk’s event as he conducted a question and answer session with students Wednesday.
Kirk was debating with a student about mass shootings involving people who identify as transgender when the shooter opened fire, according to The Wall Street Journal’s review of videos of the attack.
Reactions
FBI Director Kash Patel said the bureau is monitoring the situation.
“We are closely monitoring reports of the tragic shooting involving Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University,” he posted on X. “Our thoughts are with Charlie, his loved ones, and everyone affected. Agents will be on the scene quickly and the FBI stands in full support of the ongoing response and investigation.”
Vice President JD Vance posted on X, “Say a prayer for Charlie Kirk, a genuinely good guy and a young father.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-Calif., also condemned the shooting.
“The attack on Charlie Kirk is disgusting, vile, and reprehensible,” the governor posted on BlueSky. “In the United States of America, we must reject political violence in EVERY form.”
The attack on Charlie Kirk is disgusting, vile, and reprehensible. In the United States of America, we must reject political violence in EVERY form.
— Governor Gavin Newsom (@governor.ca.gov) September 10, 2025 at 3:16 PM
“I condemn this in the strongest terms,” Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., posted on X. “There is ZERO place in our great country for these horrendous acts of political violence. We must find a better way forward. May Charlie Kirk have a full and quick recovery.”
Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic Socialist candidate for New York City mayor, also condemned it.
“Political violence has no place in our country,” he posted.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also posted, “Prayers for Charlie Kirk. An incredible Christian, American, and human being. May the healing hand of Jesus Christ be upon him.”
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., posted, “Pray for him!”
Former Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, said he spoke with Kirk before the event.
The Southern Poverty Law Center, which puts mainstream conservative and Christian groups on a “hate map” with Ku Klux Klan chapters, added Turning Point USA to the map this summer.
The SPLC condemned the shooting on BlueSky.
“Violence is never the answer,” the group posted. “We condemn the shooting of Charlie Kirk and all violence in any form. Our history shows violence only fuels division — justice requires peace.”
Violence is never the answer. We condemn the shooting of Charlie Kirk and all violence in any form. Our history shows violence only fuels division — justice requires peace.
— Southern Poverty Law Center (@splcenter.org) September 10, 2025 at 3:47 PM
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This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
