PoliticsTragic End: Charlie Kirk Shot Moments After Gun Violence Debate at Utah Event
Charlie Kirk was shot and killed moments after a gun violence debate at Utah Valley University.
Sept. 11 2025, Published 9:43 a.m. ET
Charlie Kirk faced a heated debate on gun violence just seconds before his death.
The conservative commentator, known for his role as head of Turning Point USA, was speaking at a campus event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday, September 10, as part of his American Comeback Tour.
Charlie Kirk answered a question about transgender Americans before his fatal shooting.
Kirk spoke to a crowd at an outdoor "Prove Me Wrong" debate, as he invited students to challenge his political and cultural views, before the attack occured. The discussion escalated when a student asked, "Do you know how many transgender Americans have been mass shooters over the last 10 years?"
Kirk replied, "Too many."
The audience member clarified that five transgender individuals had committed mass shootings in the past decade and questioned Kirk on the total number of mass shooters over the same period.
The Turning Point USA founder was shot in the neck from nearly 200 yards away.
"Counting or not counting gang violence?" Kirk asked, moments before the unthinkable occurred. He was shot in the neck from nearly 200 yards away just seconds later.
Reports later confirmed Kirk succumbed to his injuries, passing away at the age of 31.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox called the shooting a ‘political assassination.’
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"It's with a heavy heart that we, the Turning Point USA leadership team, write to notify you that early this afternoon, Charlie went to his eternal reward with Jesus Christ in Heaven," Turning Point stated following the tragic news.
Kirk left behind his wife, Erika, and their two young children.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox confirmed during a press conference that a person of interest was in custody, labeling the event a "political assassination."
"We have a person of interest in custody that is being interviewed right now," Cox said.
However, FBI Director Kash Patel later revealed via X that the individual had been released following an interrogation. "The subject in custody has been released after an interrogation by law enforcement," Patel stated. "Our investigation continues and we will continue to release information in the interest of transparency."
According to CBS News, two people who were taken into custody were eventually released, with university police going "building to building" to evacuate people.
Two persons of interest were taken into police custody but were set free.
Kirk was a prominent and often controversial figure in conservative media. He hosted his podcast, "The Charlie Kirk Show," and was a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump during the 2016, 2020 and 2024 elections. The former president paid tribute to him with a heartfelt statement on social media.
"The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead," the president wrote. "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!"
