Charlie Kirk, the conservative commentator and founder of Turning Point USA, has died at the age of 31 following a shooting at Utah Valley University on Wednesday.
Kirk was struck in the neck during a campus event and was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition. Despite efforts to save him, he succumbed to his injuries shortly after.
The shooting occurred around 12:20 p.m. MDT during Kirk’s “American Comeback Tour” event.
Authorities confirmed that a single shot was fired from a building approximately 200 yards away from the tent where Kirk was speaking.
A suspect was initially taken into custody but was later released, and the investigation is ongoing.
The incident has drawn widespread condemnation from political leaders across the spectrum.
“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead,” President Donald Trump said in a statement. “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!”
Donald Trump, Jr., also shared his condolences on X,