Salt Lake City, Utah — September 10, 2025. Conservative activist Charlie Kirk, 31, co-founder and CEO of Turning Point USA, has died after being shot during a public event at Utah Valley University (UVU). Former President Donald Trump confirmed Kirk’s death on social media on Wednesday evening.

The shooting occurred during a debate organized by Turning Point USA, which Kirk was attending as a featured speaker. Witnesses reported panic in the auditorium after multiple gunshots were heard. Emergency responders transported Kirk to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Local authorities initially stated that a suspect had been taken into custody, but later clarified that the person detained was not connected to the shooting. As of Wednesday night, law enforcement officials continued to search for the assailant. “This is an ongoing and fluid investigation,” a UVU spokesperson said.

Kirk’s death comes amid heightened political tensions and a wave of violence targeting public figures across the ideological spectrum in the United States. He co-founded Turning Point USA in 2012 at age 18, quickly becoming a prominent voice in conservative circles and a frequent guest on cable television programs. Known for his outspoken support of Trump and his involvement in campus culture wars, Kirk often drew controversy — and crowds — at speaking events nationwide.

The event at UVU had already drawn divided opinions on campus. An online petition urging administrators to cancel Kirk’s appearance garnered nearly 1,000 signatures. Last week, the university reaffirmed its “commitment to free speech, intellectual inquiry, and constructive dialogue,” citing the First Amendment in allowing the event to proceed.

No motive has been publicly disclosed, and the search for the shooter continues. Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact Utah County Police.

Kirk’s death marks one of the most high-profile killings of a political activist in recent years and underscores ongoing concerns about political violence in the U.S.