Charlie Shot Dead at Utah Valley University; Video Shows Shooter on Rooftop

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OREM, Utah — September 10, 2025 — Conservative activist Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed during a campus event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. He was 31.

The attack occurred shortly after noon as Kirk addressed hundreds of supporters under a large white tent. Witnesses reported hearing a single gunshot before chaos erupted. Video footage reviewed by media outlets appears to show a figure positioned on a nearby rooftop, about 200 yards from the stage, moments before the shooting.

Law enforcement confirmed the fatal round was fired from an elevated position. Kirk was struck in the head or neck, rushed to a hospital in Orem, and pronounced dead.

Police initially detained an older man, but later clarified he was not the shooter and was released. As of late Wednesday, the suspect remains at large. The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are leading the manhunt. Investigators have not identified a motive or released a description of the gunman.

The killing drew immediate national reaction. President Joe Biden condemned the shooting, calling it “an act of violence that has no place in America.” Former President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance also issued statements, with Trump calling Kirk “a warrior for young conservatives” and demanding swift justice. Utah Governor Spencer Cox and Senator Mike Lee likewise denounced the attack.

Kirk rose to prominence in his early 20s as the co-founder of Turning Point USA, a conservative student organization that became influential in Republican politics during the Trump era. Known for his confrontational style, he built a massive following through campus events, podcasts, and social media.

The shooting comes amid heightened concern about political violence in the United States. Officials urged the public to avoid speculation and report any information that could assist the ongoing investigation.