The murder of right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk has sent shockwaves across the U.S.
The 31-year-old conservative activist was fatally shot while answering questions at a rally at Utah Valley University.
Here are the defiant words he spoke moments before the attack.
Responded confidently
Charlie Kirk, CEO and co-founder of the conservative youth group Turning Point USA, has died at 31 after being shot during an event at a Utah college.
Donald Trump, who called Kirk a “very, very good friend,” shared the news on Truth Social:
“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!”
The tragedy unfolded when an audience member approached the microphone to challenge Kirk on mass shootings.
Charlie Kirk speaks at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025 in Orem, Utah. Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was speaking at his “American Comeback Tour” when he was shot in the neck and killed. (Photo by Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images)
“Do you know many transgender Americans have been shooters over the last 10 years?” the individual asked.
Kirk responded confidently, “Too many,” as the crowd erupted in applause.
When the same person insisted the number was five and asked about total mass shooters over the past decade, Kirk replied, “Counting or not counting gang violence?” These were his final words, according to Daily Mail.
Moments later, a single gunshot rang out, striking Kirk in the neck.
Died 90 minutes after being shot
The audience panicked as he slumped in his chair, blood spilling, and chaos erupted across the venue.
Local authorities confirmed that Kirk was quickly taken to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment, but he sadly died about 90 minutes after being shot.
Kirk leaves behind his wife, Erika Frantzve, their three-year-old daughter, and a 16-month-old son.
The FBI confirmed that no one is currently in custody for the shooting. Earlier in the day, a suspect had been detained but was released after questioning.
Authorities have labeled the attack a “political assassination” and believe the shooter acted alone, firing from the top of the Losee Center roughly 200 feet from where Kirk was speaking.
FBI Director Kash Patel stated:
”The subject in custody has been released after an interrogation by law enforcement. Our investigation continues and we will continue to release information in interest of transparency.”
Outspoken about crime and mass shootings
Known for his staunch pro-Trump views and traditional values, Kirk frequently engaged in spirited debates at colleges nationwide as part of his American Comeback Tour. He had previously faced opposition at UVU, where a petition to bar him from campus gathered more than 7,000 signatures.
Kirk was outspoken about crime and mass shootings while defending the Second Amendment. At a Turning Point USA event in May 2023, he said:
”We should have an honest and clear reductionist view of gun violence, but we should not have a utopian one. You will never live in a society where you have an armed citizenry and not a single gun death. That is nonsense, it’s drivel. But I think it’s worth it. I think it’s worth to have a cost of unfortunately some gun deaths every single year, so that we can have the Second Amendment to protect our other God given rights.”
His remarks came just a week after a shooter killed three children and three adults at Christian Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee. He had also spoken about the Uvalde, Texas school shooting in May 2022, calling it an “act of evil” on his podcast, The Charlie Kirk Show:
“There’s moments in time. And there are stories that happen where you just take a pause and the evil that is committed is just so overwhelming. It almost like ruins your day and it just impacts everything you do. And it kind of dominates the conversation for the time being between your friends and family members.”
Leaders react
Kirk was widely recognized for fostering debate among young Americans and never shied away from controversy, with numerous viral clips of his confrontations with liberal college students.
Political leaders across the spectrum reacted to the news. Republican Governor Spencer Cox said:
“This is a dark day for our state, it’s a tragic day for our nation.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom, who once hosted Kirk on his podcast, added:
“The attack on Charlie Kirk is disgusting, vile, and reprehensible. In the United States of America, we must reject political violence in EVERY form.”
In tribute to Kirk, President Trump announced that all American flags across the country will be flown at half-mast until Sunday evening.
