View source for Shooting of Charlie Kirk

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''This article covers a developing story. Information may change rapidly as new details emerge.''
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! colspan="2" style="text-align:center; font-size:110%; background:#f2f2f2;" | Shooting of Charlie Kirk
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! Date
| September 10, 2025
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! Time
| ≈12:20 p.m. MDT
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! Location
| Utah Valley University<br>Orem, Utah, U.S.
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! Target
| Charlie Kirk
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! Attack type
| Shooting
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! Weapons
| High-powered bolt-action rifle
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! Fatalities
| 1 (Charlie Kirk)
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! Injuries
| 0 others reported
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! Suspects
| At large; described as a college-age male in tactical gear
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! Status
| Manhunt ongoing; investigation led by local police and FBI
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! Motive
| Under investigation
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'''What we know'''
* Charlie Kirk was shot once in the neck at Utah Valley University on Sept 10, 2025.
* He died later that day at a hospital.
* Investigators recovered a high-powered bolt-action rifle.
* The suspect is described as a college-age male in tactical gear.
* Law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, are conducting a manhunt.

'''What we don’t know'''
* The identity of the shooter.
* The motive for the attack.
* Whether the suspect acted alone or with assistance.
* How the shooter gained access to the rooftop firing position.
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'''Charlie Kirk''' (born '''Charles James Kirk'''; October 14, 1993 – September 10, 2025) was an American conservative activist, author, and media personality. He co-founded [[Turning Point USA]] (TPUSA) in 2012 and became a prominent figure in youth-focused conservative politics through campus events, a nationally syndicated talk-radio show, and a large social media presence. Kirk was shot and killed while speaking at [[Utah Valley University]] on September 10, 2025, an attack widely condemned across the political spectrum. 

== Quick facts ==
{| class="wikitable"
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! scope="row" | Born
| October 14, 1993; Arlington Heights, Illinois, U.S.
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! scope="row" | Died
| September 10, 2025 (aged 31); Orem, Utah, U.S.
|-
! scope="row" | Occupations
| Political activist; author; talk-radio host
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! scope="row" | Known for
| Co-founder and CEO of Turning Point USA; host of ''The Charlie Kirk Show''
|-
! scope="row" | Spouse
| Erika Frantzve (m. 2021)
|-
! scope="row" | Children
| 2
|-
! scope="row" | Education
| Wheeling High School; briefly attended Harper College (no degree)
|}

== Early life and education ==
Kirk was born in Arlington Heights, [[Illinois]], and raised in Prospect Heights. He attended Wheeling High School, where he engaged in local politics and conservative student activism. He briefly enrolled at Harper College before focusing on political organizing full-time.

== Turning Point USA ==
Kirk co-founded Turning Point USA in 2012 with Bill Montgomery. Under his leadership, TPUSA developed a large chapter network on high-school and college campuses, hosted high-profile conferences (e.g., ''AmericaFest''), and launched initiatives such as the ''Professor Watchlist'' and school-board tracking projects. The organization’s growth was fueled by major conservative donors and a robust media operation. TPUSA and its affiliates—Turning Point Action and TPUSA Faith—played visible roles in Republican youth outreach and grassroots mobilization.

=== Fundraising and criticism ===
TPUSA’s prominence drew scrutiny from journalists and higher-education groups, including reporting on finances, campaign-adjacent activities, and tactics seen by critics as confrontational on campuses. Supporters credited TPUSA for energizing young conservatives and expanding the right’s presence at universities; detractors argued it intensified polarization and harassed faculty.

== Media career ==
Starting in 2020, Kirk hosted a daily talk-radio program, '''''The Charlie Kirk Show''''', syndicated by Salem Radio Network, alongside a high-traffic podcast and video channels. He delivered a prime-time speech at the 2020 Republican National Convention, where he described then-President [[Donald Trump]] as the “bodyguard of Western civilization.”

== Political influence ==
Kirk maintained close ties with Republican Party leaders and the Trump political orbit. He and Turning Point Action invested heavily in voter-registration and turnout operations targeting young and infrequent voters. In 2024, he was among the figures pressing for leadership changes at the Republican National Committee.

== Utah Valley University shooting (September 10, 2025) ==
On September 10, 2025, during the first stop of his “American Comeback Tour” at Utah Valley University (UVU) in Orem, Utah, Kirk was struck by a single gunshot while speaking under an outdoor tent. Witness videos show him clutching his neck as the crowd fled. Initial reports indicated a person was detained, but authorities later said no confirmed suspect was in custody. Kirk was transported to a hospital and pronounced dead later that day. National leaders condemned the attack, and the White House ordered U.S. flags flown at half-staff. (See detailed timeline at [[Shooting of Charlie Kirk]].)

== Views and controversies ==
Kirk advocated conservative positions on limited government, immigration, higher-education reform, and gun rights, frequently debating students in open-mic formats (“Prove Me Wrong”). His remarks and TPUSA’s campus tactics drew sustained backlash from progressive groups and some faculty organizations, while galvanizing support among young conservatives.

== Personal life ==
Kirk married Erika Frantzve in 2021. The couple had two children. He was an evangelical Christian.

== Selected works ==
* ''Time for a Turning Point'' (2016)
* ''Campus Battlefield'' (2018)
* ''The MAGA Doctrine'' (2020)
* ''Right Wing Revolution: How to Beat the Woke and Save the West'' (2024)

== Investigation ==
On September 12, 2025, law enforcement confirmed the arrest of '''Tyler Robinson''', age 22, of Utah. He was identified when his father recognized him from images released by investigators and notified authorities. Robinson was arrested in Washington County, Utah, approximately 250 miles from the shooting location, after reportedly admitting involvement to a family member.

=== Evidence recovered ===
Investigators recovered a Mauser .30-caliber bolt-action rifle believed to be the weapon used. Casings left at the scene contained inscriptions with politically charged slogans and meme-style phrases. Forensic evidence collected included surveillance footage, footprints, palm prints, and a forearm imprint from the rooftop of the Losee Center, where the shot originated.

=== Motive ===
Authorities have not announced a definitive motive. Reports indicate Robinson had become more politically active in the months before the shooting and had expressed opposition to Kirk, but no formal explanation has been confirmed.

=== Law enforcement statements ===
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the timeline of the federal response, stating agents were on scene within 16 minutes. Utah Governor Spencer Cox described the killing as a “political assassination” and said Robinson is believed to have acted alone. 

=== Political reactions ===
President Donald Trump condemned the assassination, called for the death penalty, and announced plans to posthumously award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Vice President J.D. Vance praised law enforcement, met with Kirk’s family, and highlighted Kirk’s impact on conservative youth. National and state leaders across the political spectrum issued statements condemning political violence.

== Frequently asked questions (FAQ) ==

'''Who shot Charlie Kirk?'''  
As of September 11, 2025, authorities have not identified or arrested the shooter. A person of interest was briefly detained and released. The suspect remains at large.

'''What weapon was used in the shooting?'''  
Investigators recovered a high-powered bolt-action rifle believed to have been used in the attack.

'''Where did the shooting happen?'''  
The shot was fired from the roof of the Losee Center at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, approximately 200–400 feet from where Kirk was speaking.

'''Was anyone else injured?'''  
No other injuries were reported. Kirk was the sole victim.

'''What was the motive for the attack?'''  
The motive remains under investigation. Officials have not confirmed whether the shooting was politically or personally motivated.

'''How have officials responded?'''  
Utah Governor Spencer Cox described the incident as a “political assassination.” The FBI and other federal agencies are assisting in the investigation. National leaders, including the President, ordered flags at half-staff and condemned political violence.

== See also ==
* [[Turning Point USA]]
* [[Turning Point Action]]
* [[Political violence in the United States]]
* [[Utah Valley University]]

== External links ==
* Official: TPUSA (tpusa.com)
* Radio/Podcast: The Charlie Kirk Show (Salem Podcast Network)

[[Category:American political activists]]
[[Category:American talk radio hosts]]
[[Category:Turning Point USA]]
[[Category:People from Arlington Heights, Illinois]]
[[Category:1993 births]]
[[Category:2025 deaths]]