Charlie Kirk, CEO and co-founder of the conservative youth group Turning Point USA, was assassinated during a university event in Utah on Wednesday, September 10. The 31-year-old commentator was speaking before a large audience at Utah Valley University (UVU) when he was fatally shot in the neck.

The shocking news of his passing was first shared by former President Donald Trump, who called Kirk “a very, very good friend.” In a Truth Social post, Trump wrote: “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. Melania and my sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!”

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Kirk’s Final Words

At the time of the shooting, Kirk was answering a question about gun violence and mass shootings.

“Do you know how many transgender Americans have been shooters over the last 10 years?” one audience member asked.

“Too many,” Kirk replied confidently, drawing applause.

The individual pressed further, claiming the figure was five, and asked how many mass shootings had occurred overall in the past decade.

Kirk responded: “Counting or not counting gang violence?”

According to eyewitnesses and reports, those were his final words before a single gunshot rang out at approximately 12:20 p.m. local time. Panic erupted as Kirk collapsed in his chair. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, but despite emergency surgery, he died 90 minutes later.

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A Life in Politics and Faith

Kirk rose to prominence as a staunch conservative voice on college campuses, often sparking heated debates on issues including gender identity, climate policy, and the Second Amendment. He built a massive following online through his podcast and speaking tours, often positioning himself as one of the leading voices of America’s conservative youth.

Married in 2021 to former Miss Arizona Erika Frantzve, the couple shared two children — a daughter, age three, and a son, just 16 months old. Erika frequently described their marriage as rooted in faith and covenant, writing: “It’s the days afterward that matter more.”

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The Assassination

Investigators say the gunman fired from the roof of UVU’s Losee Center, roughly 200 feet from the event tent. Authorities labeled the act a “political assassination.” No suspect has been taken into custody, though the FBI has confirmed the investigation remains active.

FBI Director Kash Patel stated: “The subject in custody has been released after interrogation. Our investigation continues, and we will provide updates in the interest of transparency.”

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Tributes From Around the World

The assassination has drawn reactions from leaders across the political spectrum:

• Utah Governor Spencer Cox: “We are praying for Charlie’s wife, daughter, and son. We will bring to justice the individual responsible for this tragedy.”

• Vice President JD Vance: “Say a prayer for Charlie Kirk, a genuinely good guy and a young father.”

• Former President Joe Biden: condemned the act, saying there is “no place in our country for this kind of violence.”

• Barack Obama: called it a “despicable act,” offering prayers for Kirk’s family.

• Italy’s PM Giorgia Meloni: described the killing as an “atrocious murder” and a “deep wound for democracy.”

• Argentina’s President Javier Milei: remembered Kirk as “a staunch defender of the West.”

• California Governor Gavin Newsom: who once debated Kirk on his podcast, wrote: “The attack on Charlie Kirk is disgusting, vile, and reprehensible. We must reject political violence in EVERY form.”

To honor Kirk, former President Trump ordered that flags across the United States be lowered to half-staff until Sunday evening.

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Legacy

Charlie Kirk’s death marks one of the most high-profile political assassinations in recent U.S. history. His final words, spoken in defense of his long-standing views on gun violence and free speech, underscore the polarizing but impactful role he played in American political life.

He leaves behind a wife, two young children, and a movement he helped build — one that is now mourning its fallen leader.