US right-wing activist, Ukraine critic Charlie Kirk killed in Utah
Charlie Kirk, a prominent right-wing activist and founder of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA, was shot and killed Sept. 10 while speaking at a campus event at Utah Valley University, according to multiple media outlets.
Kirk, 31, a close ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, was addressing students in the university's outdoor quad area during a planned rally when a "single shot rang out" at approximately 12:20 p.m. local time, according to a statement from the university.
Turning Point USA also confirmed the shooting in a statement to CNN.
A manhunt for the shooter is underway. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel noted that a person of interest was released from custody following an interrogation by law enforcement.
"Our investigation continues and we will continue to release information in interest of transparency," he said.
Prior to the news of Kirk's death, President Trump reacted to the shooting on his Truth Social platform, writing, "We must all pray for Charlie Kirk, who has been shot. A great guy from top to bottom. GOD BLESS HIM!"
Trump later confirmed Kirk's death in a statement posted to Truth Social.
"The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead," Trump 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!"
The attack has drawn condemnation from across the political spectrum. California Governor Gavin Newsom called the shooting "disgusting, vile and reprehensible," adding, "in the United States of America, we must reject political violence in every form."
Former President Barack Obama also responded, writing on X that "this kind of despicable violence has no place in our democracy."
Like many other prominent figures of Trump's MAGA movement, Kirk has repeatedly criticized U.S. military support for Kyiv.
The conservative activist has denounced Ukraine as "corrupt," called President Volodymyr Zelensky a "puppet of the CIA," and claimed occupied Ukrainian regions like Crimea want to be part of Russia.
Kirk was also one of Zelensky's sharpest critics after the infamous February meeting in the Oval Office, when Trump and Vice President JD Vance publicly berated the Ukrainian leader.
At the same time, Kirk said that Russia's invasion of Ukraine was "wrong" and called Russian President Vladimir Putin a "gangster" and a "thug."
