Conservative Activist Charlie Kirk Fatally Shot in Alleged Political Assassination at Utah University Event

AP, OREM (US), SEPT 11, 2025: Conservative activist and close ally of President Donald Trump, Charlie Kirk, was fatally shot Wednesday at a Utah college event in what the governor called a political assassination carried out from a rooftop. Authorities said a person of interest was in custody. “This is a dark day for our state. It's a tragic day for our nation,” said Utah Gov. Spencer Cox. “I want to be very clear this is a political assassination.”

Authorities did not immediately identify the person in custody, a motive, or any criminal charges, but the circumstances of the shooting drew renewed attention to an escalating threat of political violence in the United States that in the last several years has cut across the ideological spectrum.

Videos posted to social media from Utah Valley University show Kirk speaking into a handheld microphone while sitting under a white tent emblazoned with the slogans “The American Comeback” and “Prove Me Wrong.” A single shot rings out and Kirk can be seen reaching up with his right hand as a large volume of blood gushes from the left side of his neck. Stunned spectators are heard gasping and screaming before people start to run away. The Associated Press was able to confirm the videos were taken at Sorensen Center courtyard on the Utah Valley University campus.

Kirk was speaking at a debate hosted by his nonprofit political organization. Immediately before the shooting, Kirk was taking questions from an audience member about mass shootings and gun violence.