Charlie Kirk, prominent conservative influencer and founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed at a university event in Orem, Utah Sept. 10, 2025.

Kirk was on the first stop of his “American Comeback Tour” at Utah Valley University when he was killed by a gunshot to the jugular vein of his neck.

Turning Point USA issued a statement: “It is with a heavy heart that we confirm that Charles James Kirk has been murdered…”

On the morning of Sept. 11, the FBI spoke with the media in a press conference. They have images, now released, of a man whom they believe to be the suspect and have been able to begin tracking his movements to further the investigation.

According to BBC, the suspect, who looks to be college-age, is still at large, but the police have recovered what they believe to be the murder weapon: a Mauser .30-06 bolt-action rifle.

Who was Charlie Kirk?

Kirk was born in Arlington Heights, Ill., to parents Kimberly and Robert Kirk. He would attend Wheeling High School and then go on to Harper College in Chicago, where he dropped out to further pursue his interest in politics and activism. 

Kirk co-founded Turning Point USA, a nonprofit conservative organization, in 2012. Since then, the organization has had a presence on over 800 college campuses and 1,000 high schools throughout the country. 

Turning Point’s events opened a forum for political debate and discussion, but beyond the organization, Kirk became a force that encouraged young people everywhere to become involved in politics, whether they agreed with him or not.

“Prove me wrong” is just one of Kirk’s iconic phrases that allowed him to claim fame. Kirk often hosted events with a premise that encouraged people to simply argue with him. 

Kirk later worked on social media for Donald Trump Jr., which would lead him to become a close ally of the current president.

During his life, he published six books, started “The Charlie Kirk Show,” became the CEO of Turning Point Action and was a member of the Council for National Policy.

He is survived by his wife of four years, Erika Frantzve, and their two children. President Trump has now announced that he will award Kirk, posthumously, with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. 

What happened on Sept. 10, 2025?

Kirk’s “American Comeback Tour” was scheduled to have its fall kickoff at Utah Valley University.

The tour, presented by many chapters of Kirk’s organization, featured conversations about conservative values and a question-and-answer session. 

Kirk traveled to the campus with his own private security, but witnesses described minimal security at the actual event. 

The state of Utah has a relaxed system of gun regulation. Individuals do not need a permit to purchase rifles, shotguns or handguns. Firearms are not required to be registered, and owners are not required to be licensed. Only handguns require a permit to be carried. 

Open carry is legal on college campuses in Utah. 

The gunman arrived on campus at 11:52 a.m., minutes before the event was scheduled to begin at noon, according to the FBI. 

The suspect was seen climbing the stairs to the location of the attack: the roof of a building about 200 yards from Kirk’s tent. 

After the attack, the suspect is said to have jumped off the roof and fled from the campus into a nearby neighborhood. Allegedly, the gunman entered a wooded area, which is where the weapon was found. 

Kirk was brought to the hospital, where he stayed in critical condition until his death. 

Many took to social media, taking the incident as an opportunity to discuss gun control and political violence.

Charlie Kirk’s Legacy

“Charlie Kirk is one of the most significant political activists on the right,” American politics professor, Michael Ensley, said. “In terms of organizing young political conservatives, arguably, he is the most important figure.”

Ensley wonders how the main party leaders will respond to the issue in the near future, beyond immediate shock. 

“What narratives and lessons will they push,” he said. “Will they focus on causes of the rise in political violence and cast blame on others, or will they work more towards discussing how we can work to lower the temperature that makes events like this more probable?”

Kirk’s assassination has left many, both conservative and liberal, distraught.

Although it’s not certain what impact this incident will have on American politics, it is clear that Kirk’s legacy will live on through his organization, activism and supporters. 

Ari Collins is a beat reporter. Contact her at [email protected].