Charlie Kirk, Turning Point USA founder, dead at 31 after Utah campus shooting
Charlie Kirk is a conservative media personality and co-founder of Turning Point USA. Kirk was visiting Utah Valley University on Wednesday when he was shot. President Donald Trump confirmed the death of Kirk on Wednesday in a Truth Social post.
In this image provided by the Reagan Foundation, a vigil “happened organically” outside the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, Calif., in honor of the late Charlie Kirk. (Courtesy of the Reagan Foundation)
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute announced it has postponed tonight’s planned conversation and book signing with Ben Shapiro following the tragic shooting of political activist Charlie Kirk in Utah.
In a statement, the foundation said: “The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute is saddened to hear of events that took place today at Utah Valley University. Our prayers are with Charlie Kirk’s family and friends. As a mark of respect, we are cancelling our program and book signing with Ben Shapiro this evening. A new date will be announced shortly.”
Outside the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California, supporters gathered organically, holding American flags and handmade signs that read “STOP POLITICAL VIOLENCE – RIP CHARLIE” and “Pray for Charlie Kirk.”
Flowers and notes lined the entrance, with messages praising Kirk as a “wise, fair, passionate” leader who “welcomed open dialogue” and “sought God’s wisdom daily.”
Photos provided by the Reagan Foundation showed families, students, and local residents assembling quietly in tribute. Some carried Israeli and American flags, while others paused to pray.
A resurfaced video of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk is making the rounds online in the wake of his fatal shooting at Utah Valley University on Wednesday.
In the clip, Kirk pauses and then answers directly when asked how he would want to be remembered: “I want to be remembered for courage for my faith. That would be the most important thing. Most important thing is my faith.”
The short exchange has been widely shared since news of his death broke showing Kirk’s outspoken commitment to Christianity.
Kirk framed much of his political activism with Turning Point USA (TPUSA) as rooted in his faith, frequently citing the need for young people to embrace purpose and conviction in the public square.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt posted a heartfelt tribute to the late Charlie Kirk on Wednesday, praising the co-founder and CEO of Turning Point USA as “one of the first people to believe in me.”
“When I ran for Congress at 23 years old, Charlie Kirk was one of the first people to believe in me and endorse my grassroots campaign,” wrote Leavitt. That’s because Charlie Kirk believed in the potential and promise of young people across our country, and he inspired millions of them to get involved in politics and fight for our nation’s conservative values.”
Leavitt first ran to represent New Hampshire’s first congressional district in 2022 before joining President Trump’s re-election campaign.
“Charlie positively changed the course of American history, and his legacy will live on,” Leavitt added.
She closed by adding “I am praying that God covers Charlie’s wife, Erika, and their two beautiful children in His love. I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.” John 11:25-26
Charlie Kirk debates with students at The Cambridge Union on May 19, 2025 in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire. (Nordin Catic/Getty Images for The Cambridge Union)
The FBI said it has deployed full resources and will co-lead the investigation into the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University, urging the public to share information, photos and video through its digital media tip line.
CHARLIE KIRK, TURNING POINT USA FOUNDER, DEAD AT 31 AFTER UTAH CAMPUS SHOOTING
“As soon as we heard about the shooting, special agents and personnel from the Salt Lake City Field Office responded immediately,” said Robert Bohls, the FBI’s Salt Lake City special agent in charge. “We have full resources devoted to this investigation, including tactical, operational, investigative and intelligence. To be clear, the FBI will fully support and co-lead this investigation alongside our partners.”
The agency said it is working with state and local law enforcement in Utah and asked anyone with potential evidence to submit it at tips.fbi.gov/digitalmedia/f4507712a3b2893.
Charlie Kirk’s visit to Utah Valley University on his “American Comeback” tour sparked fierce backlash online.
A Change.org petition, “Prevent Charlie Kirk from speaking at Utah Valley University,” racked up nearly 1,000 signatures ahead of the event.
The petition took aim at UVU’s own branding. “Utah Valley University’s tagline is ‘a place for you,’” it declared. “How then, can the university claim to represent inclusion and diversity by allowing an influencer like Charlie Kirk to have a platform?”
Supporters accused Kirk of undermining the campus environment. “As students at Utah Valley University, we have come to cherish an environment that strives for inclusivity and diversity. Yet, the planned speaking engagement of Charlie Kirk threatens this ideal,” the petition said.
Critics argued that hosting Kirk sent the wrong message: “Giving a platform to someone whose views are in direct opposition to these principles undermines UVU’s commitment to being ‘a place for you.’”
The petition has 943 signatures and has since been closed.
Charlie Kirk with his wife, Erika, and two children.
Rev. Franklin Graham, one of the nation’s most prominent Christian voices, told Fox News Digital that “America is mourning the loss of Charlie Kirk.”
“Our hearts break for his wife and family. He loved this country, loved God, and loved his family. He was a gifted and courageous communicator of truth. Even more importantly, Charlie Kirk was a passionate follower of the Lord Jesus Christ,” said Graham.
Charlie Kirk leaves behind his wife, Erika, a 3-year-old daughter, and a 1-year-old son.“
He wasn’t afraid to talk to anyone about the issues our society is facing today—and he wasn’t ashamed to talk about his personal relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ. He said in an interview that his salvation was ‘a gift that grows sweeter with time,’” said Graham.
The president and CEO of Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association shared that he is appreciative of the work Charlie did to encourage, engage, and inform young college students across the nation.
“His voice will be greatly missed, but I pray that God will raise up an army of young men and women like him who will stand up for the same important issues,” he added.
Graham says Kirk lived boldly for Jesus Christ, who said, “’I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.’”
Daily Caller shared video Wednesday of Sen. Elizabeth Warren speaking outside the Capitol after the shooting of Charlie Kirk, zeroing in on gun violence.
“What Congress can do is gun safety and every time there’s a killing the Republicans say this is not the time to [talk] about gun safety, and yet we have to, as a nation, we have more gun deaths than most other nations,” Warren said.
“If the rest of the country would just follow the rules we follow in Massachusetts, we could reduce fatalities all over this country.”
Warren also pushed back on claims that legislation cannot solve the problem: “You can change whether or not they have a lethal weapon in their hands and the likelihood that they will be able to kill another person or to kill themselves goes up if they have a lethal weapon… Congress could change that and should change that.”
She closed with a warning: “If you’re alive and breathing in the United States right now, you understand that the risks have simply escalated. And the United States Congress could act and so far simply refuses.”
Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk is seen at an event during which he was shot and killed by a yet-unidentified shooter. (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune via Reuters)
Authorities in Utah provided an update on a manhunt for the gunman who fatally shot Charlie Kirk during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University, as state and federal agencies co-lead the investigation into what officials believe was a targeted attack.
The Utah Department of Public Safety said in a press release that Kirk was speaking at the event at about 12:20 p.m. local time when he was shot.
“We initially took in George Zinn as a suspect. He was later released and charged with obstruction by UVU police,” the department said. “A second suspect, Zachariah Qureshi, was taken into custody and released after interrogation with law enforcement. There are no current ties to the shooting with either of these individuals. There is an ongoing investigation and manhunt for the shooter.”
CHARLIE KIRK, TURNING POINT USA FOUNDER, DEAD AT 31 AFTER UTAH CAMPUS SHOOTING
Investigators believe the attack was targeted and the shooter is believed to have fired a round from the roof of a building.
The event took place in a student courtyard, which was secured with the help of six Utah Valley University officers.
DPS said the security measures from the university were in addition to Kirk’s security detail.
DPS also said about 3,000 people attended the event.
“This is a tragic moment for Utah and our country,” DPS said. “As we all heal, we encourage those who need help to call 988, our state’s mental health crisis line.”
Co-leading the investigation with the Utah Department of Public Safety are the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), as well as the Utah County Attorney’s Office, Utah County Sheriff’s Office and local police departments.
The FBI asks anyone with information about the shooting to reach out using a tip line, which can be found at www.fbi.gov/utahvalleyshooting.
Charlie Kirk poses with President Trump and first lady Melania Trump in 2020.
First lady Melania Trump offered her condolences to the Kirk family as Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk leaves behind his wife, Erika, a 3-year-old daughter, and a 1-year-old son.
“Charlie’s children will be raised with stories instead of memories, photographs instead of laughter, and silence where their father’s voice should have echoed,” wrote Mrs. Trump on X.
“Charlie Kirk’s life should serve as a symbolic reminder that compassionate awareness elevates family, love, and country,” she added.
The first lady’s comments come shortly after President Trump released an Oval Office message on the assassination.
“He’s a martyr for truth and freedom,” said President Trump.
In August, Charlie Kirk posted a photo of the first lady wearing a crown in a fake Vanity Fair cover on X, writing, “We need to meme the cover into existence.”
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Kai Trump, the granddaughter of President Donald Trump, was among the masses who reacted to the horrific shooting death of Charlie Kirk on Wednesday.
President Trump announced that Kirk had died after being shot at a speaking event at Utah Valley University. Video posted from the event appeared to show Kirk being shot as he spoke to a large crowd from under a white pop-up tent.
Kai Trump, who called Kirk a “close family friend,” couldn’t believe the news.
CHARLIE KIRK, TURNING POINT USA FOUNDER, DEAD AT 31 AFTER UTAH CAMPUS SHOOTING
“I am deeply saddened to hear the news about Charlie Kirk,” Trump posted on her Instagram Stories.
Read more about what Kai Trump said about Charlie Kirk’s death.
This is an excerpt from a story by Fox News Digital’s Scott Thompson.
Health and Human Services Sec. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. shared a photo alongside Charlie Kirk and President Donald Trump following Kirk’s assassination. (@RobertKennedyJr via X)
Health and Human Services Sec. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. condemned the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, 31, on Wednesday, saying “once again, a bullet has silenced the most eloquent truth teller of an era.”
Kennedy, who has faced backlash of his own due to his controversial political stances, is the son of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1968, and the nephew of President John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1963.
The killings were met with national and global shock, as millions mourned the loss of two leaders who symbolized democracy, youth and hope—while their deaths deepened political divisions.
“My dear friend Charlie Kirk was our country’s relentless and courageous crusader for free speech,” Kennedy wrote in a statement on X. “We pray for Erika and the children. Charlie is already in paradise with the angels. We ask his prayers for our country.”
HHS did not immediately respond to further inquiries from Fox News Digital.
President Donald Trump mourned Charlie Kirk as a patriot and “martyr for truth and freedom,” condemning his assassination as a dark moment for America and blaming left-wing rhetoric and the media for fueling the political violence behind his killing.
Kirk was speaking at Utah Valley University when the sound of a single shot rang across a large crowd, striking the Turning Point USA founder.
While speaking from the Oval Office on Wednesday night in a video posted to Truth Social, Trump said he was filled with grief and anger over the “heinous assassination” of Kirk.
CHARLIE KIRK, TURNING POINT USA FOUNDER, DEAD AT 31 AFTER UTAH CAMPUS SHOOTING
“Charlie inspired millions, and tonight, all who knew him and loved him are united in shock and horror. Charlie was a patriot who devoted his life to the cause of open debate and the country that he loved so much, the United States of America,” Trump said. “He fought for liberty, democracy, justice, and the American people. He’s a martyr for truth and freedom. And there’s never been anyone who was so respected by youth.”
The president also called Kirk a man of deep faith, adding that he takes comfort knowing that Kirk is at peace with God in Heaven.
“This is a dark moment for America. Charlie Kirk traveled the nation, joyfully engaging with everyone interested in good-faith debate. His mission was to bring young people into the political process, which he did better than anybody. To share his love of country and to spread the simple words of common sense,” Trump said.
“It’s a long past time for all Americans and the media to confront the fact that violence and murder are the tragic consequence of demonizing those with whom you disagree day after day, year after year, in the most hateful and despicable way possible,” he continued. “For years, those on the radical left have compared wonderful Americans like Charlie to Nazis and the world’s worst mass murderers and criminals. This kind of rhetoric is directly responsible for the terrorism that we’re seeing in our country today, and it must stop right now.
“My administration will find each and every one of those who contributed to this atrocity and to other political violence, including the organizations that fund it and support it, as well as those who go after our judges, law enforcement officials, and everyone else who brings order to our country,” Trump added. “From the attack on my life in Butler, Pennsylvania last year, which killed a husband and father, to the attacks on ice agents; to the vicious murder of a healthcare executive in the streets of New York, to the shooting of House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and three others. Radical left political violence has hurt too many innocent people and taken too many lives.”
