By Reagan Reese
Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk has died at age 31 after being shot at a speaking event at Utah Valley University, President Donald Trump announced Wednesday.
“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead,” the president wrote on Truth Social. “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.”
Turning Point USA sent an email to staff informing them of Kirk’s death.
“It is with a heavy heart that we, the Turning Point USA leadership team, write to notify you that earlier this afternoon Charlie went to his eternal reward with Jesus Christ in Heaven,” part of the email reads.
A gunshot rang out while Kirk was talking to students for one of his “Prove Me Wrong” events at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. A spokesperson with the university told the Caller that Kirk was shot from a building about 200 yards away. Security was seen on video carrying Kirk’s body away from the scene. (RELATED: ‘I Did See Him Fall’: Jason Chaffetz Provides Eyewitness Account Of Charlie Kirk Shooting)
Kirk was rushed to the hospital after being shot and was in critical condition before he eventually passed away, Turning Point USA said in official statements and sources close to Kirk’s team told the Caller.
A local college student who was at the event told the Caller that Kirk was answering a question about religion when “all of a sudden, out of nowhere, there was this loud bang, just one shot, bang. And I saw him hit in the neck, and I saw red gushing blood out of it.”
A spokesperson for Utah Valley University originally claimed a suspect was in police custody, but The New York Times later reported that the individual detained was not the shooter.
“UVU is leading the investigation with support from Orem Police Department and other local federal, and state agencies. There is still a suspect at large,” a statement from the City of Orem, where Utah Valley University is located, said. “There is no call to shelter in place at this time. If you see something suspicious, please report it to police dispatch by calling 911 or the non-emergency number 801-229-7070”
Co-founder Turning Point USA Charlie Kirk speaks following the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump during an event at Capital One Arena on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th president of the United States. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Kirk was a prominent member of the conservative movement, leading the influential youth organizations Turning Point USA and Turning Point Action. (RELATED: Tributes, Support Pour In For Charlie Kirk From Across Political Spectrum)
The founder and CEO of Turning Point was best known for touring universities and speaking about conservative principles, and in some cases, debating students with opposing values.
Kirk founded Turning Point USA, a 501(c)(3) group, in 2012. Its focus was on empowering conservative students to run for student government positions and mobilizing them to support conservative values on campus and beyond.
Turning Point Action, a 501(c)(4), was created in 2019 to serve as a grassroots activist organization. Turning Point Action helped support President Donald Trump in his 2024 re-election campaign.
Turning Point USA regularly holds conservative youth conferences with thousands of attendees, including America Fest, the Young Women’s Leadership Summit and the Student Action Summit.
Through his relentless activism, Kirk became a close ally of President Donald Trump and members of his administration.
Kirk was listed on the 2018 Forbes 30 Under 30 in Law & Policy and was given an honorary doctorate degree from Liberty University.
Kirk married his wife, Erika, in 2021. The couple has two children, a three-year-old daughter and a one-year-old son.
