Trump supporter shot dead in public

Charlie Kirk, head of the nonprofit Turning Point USA, a conservative activist and one of Donald Trump’s most prominent supporters, was shot dead at a university in Utah on September 10. He was delivering a speech to hundreds of students when the attacker targeted his neck. Kirk, 31, was hospitalized in serious condition but did not survive. Video footage of the incident quickly spread online, going viral across social networks. Discussions around his death remain intense.

President Trump personally reacted to Kirk’s death, calling him a public activist and an influential figure among young people. He expressed condolences to Kirk’s family on social media, describing him as his most prominent unofficial supporter.

“The great and even legendary Charlie Kirk has passed away. No one understood or helped the youth of America like he did. He was loved and respected by everyone, especially me. Now he is gone. Melania and I extend our deepest condolences to his wife Erica and family. Charlie, we love you,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social account.

Trump also ordered flags nationwide to be lowered to half-staff until the evening of September 14. Utah Governor Spencer Cox stated that criminals would not go unpunished. US politicians, including former President Joe Biden, also extended condolences to Kirk’s relatives, emphasizing that such violence has no place in the United States.

Who was Kirk?

Charlie Kirk, 31, was one of the most prominent conservative activists in the country. In 2012, at the age of 18, he co-founded Turning Point USA with businessman Bill Montgomery. The organization promotes free markets, limited government, and “traditional values” among students. Today, Turning Point USA has chapters at more than 850 universities. Under Kirk’s leadership, it became a major influence on students and higher education in the US.

Kirk held debates at universities across the country and was active on podcasts and social media. He played a central role in Donald Trump’s political comeback, particularly in mobilizing young voters. His efforts were especially notable in Arizona, where he helped register thousands of new voters, contributing significantly to Trump’s success in the state.

He was also invited to Trump’s inauguration and frequently attended White House events. Trump regarded him as a key political ally due to his popularity among young people.

Kirk is survived by his wife and two children. Family photos of him are being widely shared on social media.

The killer has not yet been found

Kirk’s killer remains unidentified. A suspect was initially detained after the September 10 shooting but was later released. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the man had been questioned and cleared.

Patel said the investigation is ongoing and pledged transparency. Utah Commissioner of Public Safety Beau Mason reported that the suspect, seen only on surveillance cameras, was dressed in black and may have fired from a long distance, possibly from a rooftop.

Governor Cox also commented on the case, clarifying that an elderly man detained on university grounds was not a suspect but had been held for obstructing law enforcement.

So far, authorities have released no further details. The search for Kirk’s killer continues.