Update September 12, 10:34 p.m.: Tyler Robinson, 22, was arrested on suspicion of assassinating Charlie Kirk and is being held at the Utah County Jail, according to the AP. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox explained Robinson’s prior mentions of Charlie Kirk to family members at a press conference held on Sept. 12.
Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA (TPUSA), was killed on Wednesday after being shot at an event at Utah Valley University, according to President Trump. He was 31.
Kirk was at the university to kick off his ‘American Comeback Tour’ when one gunshot rang out, according to the Associated Press. Kirk was struck in the neck and rushed to the hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Before being shot, Kirk was answering a question about mass shootings and gun violence, including one that referenced transgender individuals. An audience member asked him, “Do you know how many transgender Americans have been mass shooters over the last 10 years?” Kirk responded, “Too many,” before being struck in the neck by a single gunshot.
A university official said the gunfire appeared to come from a nearby building. A suspect is in custody, according to a X post from FBI Director Kash Patel.
Utah Valley University released a statement on Instagram stating they were “shocked and saddened by the tragic passing of Charlie Kirk.” The university expressed condolences to Kirk’s family and grieves with those who witnessed the shooting.
“UVU is a place to share ideas and to debate openly and respectfully,” the statement read. “Any attempt to infringe on those rights have no place here. We do not condone any form of violence at UVE and seek to make our campus safe for all.”
All classes at UVU has been suspended and all UVU campuses will be closed until Sept. 15, according to the university.
“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie.”
Kirk previously visited Cal Poly
Kirk founded TPUSA in 2012 and hosted “The Charlie Kirk Show” podcast, where he aimed to spread his “unapologetically conservative, freedom-loving point of view,” according to his Apple Podcast profile.
“I am extremely disturbed and heartbroken by this act of violence. My heart goes out to his wife and family, and I hope this tragedy brings people together,” Nina Spinello, President of the TPUSA San Luis Obispo County Activism Hub, wrote to Mustang News. “Charlie Kirk inspired me to question and use reason — wearing intellectual armor and always use sound debate to get my point across.”
In March 2024, he visited Cal Poly, where the university’s TPUSA chapter hosted him for a ‘Prove Me Wrong’ table on Dexter Lawn. The event had a significant turnout of both supporters and protestors.
READ HERE: TPUSA hosts Charlie Kirk, gathering large crowd of supporters and protestors
Before Kirk’s visit, the Cal Poly TPUSA chapter hosted detransitioner Chloe Cole and anti-trans activist Chris Elston for a panel on transgender healthcare in December 2023. The event had strong opposition, including a counter-protest drag show called Queer Joy that featured live music and student performances outside Fisher Science (Bldg. 33).
READ HERE: Cal Poly students counter-protest Turning Point USA speaker panel – Mustang News
Mustang News previously spoke with former TPUSA chapter president Madison Pierce on Election Day about the club’s purpose. “I think everyone’s happy to have a space to relax and hang out with friends and not have the pressure of having someone with opposite views,” she said about the TPUSA Election Day watch party. “[We] create a space that’s positive and happy. Everyone’s excited that we have a space for that and excited to watch everything go down.”
Kirk has built a following of millions through conservative stances on cultural and political issues. He used his platforms to share his views on gun control, transgender rights and racism. Kirk’s views drew both supporters and backlash.
Governor Gavin Newsom called the attack on Kirk “disgusting” in a post on X, saying Americans must reject political violence. Numerous Democratic leaders issued statements condemning the shooting as well.
All American Flags, throughout the United States, are to be lowered to half-mast until Sunday in honor of Kirk, Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Correction: This post was updated at 1:14 a.m. on Sept. 11 to add quotation marks around “The Charlie Kirk Podcast” in practice of AP style.