In chilling video, Charlie Kirk shot in front of thousands while answering question on gang violence

Conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed on Wednesday during a live Q&A session at Utah Valley University in Orem. The incident occurred in front of a crowd of 3,000 people. Authorities say a single shot was fired by a suspected sniper from a distant rooftop. The shooter remains at large.

Also read: Trump ally Charlie Kirk, 31, shot dead at Utah Valley University event

Who is Trump ally and conservative activist Charlie Kirk?

Kirk, 31, co-founder of Turning Point USA and a close ally of former President Donald Trump, was answering a question about gang violence when the shot rang out.

Videos show Kirk collapsing as he was struck in the neck (not using video because of disturbing footage)

Utah Governor Spencer Cox called it a “political assassination,” while President Trump, in a video message, vowed to bring the perpetrator to justice. No motive has been confirmed.

President Trump shares a message on the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

“I ask all Americans to commit themselves to the American values for which Charlie Kirk lived & died. The values of free speech, citizenship, the rule of law & the patriotic devotion & love of God.” pic.twitter.com/3fBSgs4Zxa

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) September 11, 2025

Two men were briefly detained but later released with no ties to the shooting.

Kirk was on the first stop of his “American Comeback Tour” aimed at engaging young voters. His death adds to a growing list of politically motivated violence in the U.S. in recent years.

Trump, who routinely describes political rivals, judges and others who stand in his way as "radical left lunatics" and warns that they pose an existential threat to the nation, decried violent political rhetoric.

"For years, those on the radical left have compared wonderful Americans like Charlie to Nazis and the world's worst mass murderers and criminals," Trump said in the video.