Charlie Kirk Dies Following Campus Shooting
Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA and one of the nation’s most outspoken anti-LGBTQ activists, has died after being shot during a speaking event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.
Kirk was addressing students Wednesday evening as part of his “American Comeback Tour” when a gunman opened fire from a nearby campus building, striking him in the neck. He was transported to a local hospital in critical condition and later succumbed to his injuries, according to authorities.
Former President Donald Trump announced Kirk’s death on his social media platform Truth Social, writing: “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. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!”
Earlier, Utah Valley University had stated a suspect was in custody, but officials later clarified that no arrests had been made and no details about a possible shooter or motive have been released.
Confusion Over Suspect as Investigation Unfolds
Police said the gunfire came from a campus building about 200 yards away, and Utah Valley University was immediately placed on lockdown. In the hours after the shooting, the university issued an alert stating that a suspect had been taken into custody. Authorities later clarified that no one is currently in custody, and no details about a possible shooter or motive have been released.
Federal agencies, including the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, are assisting local investigators.
National Leaders Condemn Attack
The shooting drew swift reaction from across the political spectrum. President Donald Trump called Kirk “a great guy from top to bottom” and urged supporters to pray for his family.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom described the attack as “disgusting, vile, and reprehensible,” while former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said political violence “has no place in our nation.”
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stressed that “political violence must be always and totally rejected.” Gabrielle Giffords, the former Arizona congresswoman who survived an assassination attempt, added: “Democratic societies will always have disagreements, but we must never allow America to become a country that confronts those disagreements with violence.”
At the same time, right-wing commentators quickly began framing the shooting as part of a broader narrative about “left-wing violence.” Arizona Republican Blake Masters claimed on X that “left-wing violence is out of control,” while far-right personality Mike Cernovich demanded congressional hearings targeting progressive donors. Journalist Matthew Yglesias warned such rhetoric could be exploited as a pretext for suppressing political opposition.
Charlie Kirk’s Anti-LGBTQ Record
Kirk’s rise was defined by his relentless opposition to LGBTQ+ rights. Through Turning Point and his own media platforms, he frequently railed against transgender people, abortion rights, and marriage equality. He used his podcast and radio show to advance anti-LGBTQ talking points, positioning himself as a culture warrior against queer and progressive movements.
His influence shaped Republican youth politics for more than a decade, embedding anti-LGBTQ rhetoric into the mainstream GOP.
Questions About Security
Witnesses at the Utah Valley University event said no metal detectors or security screenings were present. Utah law allows both concealed and open carry for adults with permits, a policy clarified earlier this year under House Bill 128.
Kirk himself was a staunch supporter of expansive gun rights. After the 2023 Nashville school shooting, he argued that gun deaths were a necessary “cost” of preserving the Second Amendment, according to Newsweek.
University Cancels Classes
Utah Valley University canceled all classes and events after the shooting and urged students and staff to leave campus.
This story is developing.
Editorial Note: Gayety condemns political violence in all forms. While Charlie Kirk has built his career opposing LGBTQ+ equality and spreading harmful rhetoric about queer and trans people, violence is never an acceptable response. LGBTQ+ communities continue to follow this story closely because Kirk’s influence has shaped anti-LGBTQ policies and fueled a political climate hostile to queer lives.
