Authorities are investigating the tragic death of Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA (TPUSA), who was fatally injured during a speaking event at Utah Valley University (UVU) on Wednesday, September 10, 2025.
The incident occurred during a midday program organized by TPUSA’s student chapter. Witnesses said they heard a loud crack from a nearby building before security rushed Kirk away and campus police secured the area. He was the only person reported harmed.
A UVU spokesperson explained, “We had a guest speaker, Charlie Kirk, invited by a student group. Around 12:20, a sound believed to be a gunshot came from about 200 yards away. The individual was hit and taken away immediately by security. The campus is closed for the remainder of the day, and campus police have a suspect in custody.”
TPUSA confirmed the seriousness of the situation shortly afterward. Spokesperson Aubrey Laitsch said, “This is an ongoing matter. We can confirm that Charlie Kirk has been hospitalized, and we are praying for his recovery.”
By late afternoon, TPUSA leadership informed staff and supporters that Kirk had passed away, calling his loss a profound tragedy.
National Response
Federal officials emphasized that the investigation is ongoing. FBI Director Kash Patel stated on X that an individual initially detained was questioned and released, but assured the public that authorities are pursuing all leads.
Security experts told CNN the assailant appeared to act with precision, complicating the investigation. “This was not random. It was carefully carried out,” one analyst noted, suggesting the attacker may have prior training.
Witness Jeremy King, who stood near Kirk, described initial confusion before realizing the seriousness of the event. “Everyone around me dropped to the ground. I shielded my wife. At first, I thought it might be part of the program. Then panic set in,” he recalled.
Tributes
News of Kirk’s passing sparked an outpouring of condolences. President Donald Trump called the event “a national tragedy” and described Kirk as someone who inspired millions of young Americans. He ordered U.S. flags lowered to half-staff until September 14. Vice President JD Vance echoed the message, offering prayers for Kirk’s family.
A Pattern of Tragedy
Kirk’s death comes just two weeks after another attack in Minneapolis, where a lone assailant disrupted a student Mass on August 27. Two children lost their lives, and several others were wounded, leaving the community in grief.
Police identified the individual responsible and found writings that pointed to deep emotional struggles. Survivors, including schoolchildren, later shared harrowing accounts of hiding as chaos unfolded.
Parents expressed both gratitude for their children’s safety and frustration that such events continue to affect schools and places of worship.
President Trump addressed the Minneapolis tragedy on social media, pledging federal support and ordering flags to half-staff until August 31 in memory of the victims.
