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LAST UPDATE | 10 Sep 2025
US PRESIDENT DONALD Trump has confirmed that Charlie Kirk, the conservative American commentator who was shot at an event he was hosting at a university in Utah, has died.
Kirk was speaking at Utah Valley University as part of his work for his conservative student group Turning Point USA.
Videos from the event show Kirk, an ally of Trump, speaking to large crowds when the sound of a gunshot rings out. Kirk could be seen flinching as crowds gasp and begin to flee the area.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said: “The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead.
“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,” he said.
“Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!”.
Trump added that he has ordered all US flags to be flown at half mast until 6pm on Sunday.
FBI director Kash Patel has said that a suspect is now in custody. He thanked local and state authorities in Utah “for your partnership with the FBI”, adding that they would provide updates when possible.
The Utah college earlier said a suspect was taken into custody, but it later transpired that the person who was initially apprehended by police was not actually the shooter.
The college said on social media that the campus is now closed and all classes have been cancelled. “Those on campus, secure in place until police officers can escort you safely off campus. Police are currently going building to building escorting people off campus.”
Kirk was a prominent Republican activist and father of two whose evangelical Christian faith was a prominent feature of his politics. As well as Turning Point USA, he gained attention in recent months for debating college students on politics at various universities.
He was well-known in the US from his use of social media, where he had millions of followers. He often debated university students on politics as part of his work at Turning Point.
Kirk had spoken at the Republican National Convention on numerous occasions. He campaigned for Trump in 2020, and he and Turning Point played a part in Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign.
Former Utah congressman Jason Chaffetz, who was at the rally, told Fox News the shooting had happened during a question and answer session.
“First question was about religion. He went on for about 15-20, minutes. Second question, interestingly, was about transgender shooters, mass shooters, and in the midst of that, the shot rang out,” a shaken Chaffetz told the network.
“Now I happened to be watching Charlie. I can’t say I saw blood. I can’t say I saw him get shot, but as soon as that shot went out, he fell back.
“Everybody hit the deck, everybody… a lot of people started screaming, and then everybody started running.”
Representatives across the US, both Republican and Democratic, and international leaders have condemned the attack on Kirk.
Former US president Joe Biden said: “There is no place in our country for this kind of violence. It must end now. Jill and I are praying for Charlie Kirk’s family and loved ones.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer extended his condolences to Kirk’s family.
“It is heartbreaking that a young family has been robbed of a father and a husband,” he said. “We must all be free to debate openly and freely without fear – there can be no justification for political violence.”
European Parliament president Roberta Metsola said: “Shocked at the absolutely horrific assassination of Charlie Kirk in Utah today. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife and young children – who were the bedrock of his life. May they find strength and may he rest in peace.”
Before it was confirmed that Kirk had died, California’s governor Gavin Newsom, a fierce opponent of Trump, described the attack as “disgusting, vile, and reprehensible”.
“In the United States of America, we must reject political violence in every form,” he said.
Former vice president Kamala Harris said she was “deeply disturbed” by the shooting, adding: “Let me be clear: Political violence has no place in America. I condemn this act, and we all must work together to ensure this does not lead to more violence.”
With reporting from Jane Moore
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