{"id":147913,"date":"2025-09-11T02:14:04","date_gmt":"2025-09-11T02:14:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/147913\/"},"modified":"2025-09-11T02:14:04","modified_gmt":"2025-09-11T02:14:04","slug":"who-was-charlie-kirk-what-we-know-about-the-shooting-and-the-suspect-donald-trump-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/147913\/","title":{"rendered":"Who was Charlie Kirk? What we know about the shooting and the suspect | Donald Trump News"},"content":{"rendered":"

Charlie Kirk, a well-known conservative activist in the United States and staunch ally of President Donald Trump, was shot dead<\/a> at an event at Utah Valley University.<\/p>\n

Video of the incident circulating on social media showed Kirk speaking to a large outdoor crowd when a loud crack, a gunshot, rings out.<\/p>\n

Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list<\/p>\n

Kirk briefly clutches his neck before collapsing from his chair, sending attendees fleeing. He was 31 years old.<\/p>\n

Here is what we know:<\/p>\n

What happened?<\/p>\n

Kirk was on a speaking tour, and his stop at Utah Valley University was the first of at least 15 scheduled events at universities around the country as part of his \u201cAmerican Comeback Tour\u201d.<\/p>\n

Before the shooting, he was seated at his \u201cProve Me Wrong\u201d debating table, taking questions from an audience outdoors.<\/p>\n

Videos show that Kirk was going back and forth with a student about mass shootings and transgender people when he was shot.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you know how many transgender Americans have been mass shooters over the last 10 years?\u201d Kirk was asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cToo many,\u201d Kirk responded as the crowd clapped.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you know how many mass shooters there have been in America over the last 10 years?\u201d To which Kirk replied, \u201cCounting or not counting gang violence?\u201d<\/p>\n

Seconds later, Kirk could be seen struck in the neck as he falls from his chair.<\/p>\n

\"TheThe scene after US right-wing activist and commentator Charlie Kirk was shot at a Utah Valley University speaking event in Orem, Utah [Trent Nelson\/The Salt Lake Tribune\/Reuters]<\/p>\n

According to reports, Kirk was shot about 20 minutes after he began speaking at approximately 12:10pm local time (18:10 GMT).<\/p>\n

In video footage from the event, it can be seen how Kirk moved his hand towards his neck as he fell off his chair, sending the attendees running. In another clip, blood can be seen gushing from his neck immediately after the shot.<\/p>\n

No one else was shot during the event.<\/p>\n

Kirk\u2019s wife and children were present during the incident.<\/p>\n

Where did the shooting happen?<\/p>\n

The shooting took place in the courtyard at Utah Valley University, located about 64km (40 miles) south of Salt Lake City.<\/p>\n

A spokeswoman for the university said Kirk was hit by a shot fired from the roof of the school\u2019s Losee Center, a campus building about 180 metres (200 yards) from the event area.<\/p>\n

It was not clear whether the shot was fired from a rooftop or an open window.<\/p>\n

Who was Charlie Kirk?<\/p>\n

Charlie Kirk was one of the most prominent conservative activists and media personalities in the US, and a trusted ally of President Trump.<\/p>\n

He co-founded Turning Point USA, a nonprofit conservative advocacy group, when he was just 18.<\/p>\n

Kirk\u2019s group grew into the country\u2019s largest conservative youth movement, and over the years, he became a central player in a network of pro-Trump influencers, often described as the face of the \u201cMake America Great Again\u201d movement.<\/p>\n

Trump often credited Kirk with bringing many young voters and voters of colour over to his side during the 2024 presidential campaign.<\/p>\n

He was also a sharp critic of mainstream media and threw himself into culture-war battles over race, gender and immigration.<\/p>\n

His provocative style won him a loyal support base but also fierce opposition.<\/p>\n

\"ThroughCofounder and president of Turning Point, Charlie Kirk, speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference [File: Kevin Lamarque\/Reuters]<\/p>\n

Kirk also became a close friend of the president\u2019s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr, with whom Kirk travelled to Greenland in January. He was also an early champion of Vice President JD Vance as Trump was deciding whether the senator would be his running mate.<\/p>\n

Kirk had 5.2 million followers on the platform X and hosted The Charlie Kirk Show, a podcast and radio programme that reached more than 500,000 listeners each month. He made regular appearances on Fox News, including a recent guest co-hosting slot on Fox & Friends.<\/p>\n

According to a report by The New York Times, Kirk never pursued a role within the administration. His aim was to reshape the Republican Party and, more broadly, American politics.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want to transform the culture,\u201d he told<\/a> The New York Times Magazine in February.<\/p>\n

Kirk also built a fortune through his popular podcast, frequent speaking engagements and books, including his 2020 bestseller, The MAGA Doctrine.<\/p>\n

On social media, he posted constantly, offering a right-wing perspective on a plethora of issues.<\/p>\n

In response to the fatal, unprovoked stabbing of a white woman by a Black man, Kirk posted this on X on Tuesday:<\/p>\n

Will Cain is 100% right.<\/p>\n

We have been propagandized by liars and fakers in the media to believe that America is a vicious, racist country and indiscriminate attacks on black people by whites happen all the time.<\/p>\n

But the numbers tell the truth. Black attacks on white people\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/SHmlxAIhds<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) September 9, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

What do we know about the shooter?<\/p>\n

There was confusion about whether a suspect was in custody.<\/p>\n

A \u201cperson of interest\u201d was in custody on Wednesday evening, Utah Governor Spencer Cox said, though no charges were immediately announced.<\/p>\n

FBI director, Kash Patel, said on X: \u201cThe subject in custody has been released after an interrogation by law enforcement. Our investigation continues and we will continue to release information in the interest of transparency.\u201d<\/p>\n

Beau Mason, the head of the Utah Department of Public Safety, said a suspect was described as being dressed in all-dark clothing.<\/p>\n

He said one shot was fired in the fatal attack.<\/p>\n

Six officers were working the event, and there were more than 3,000 people in attendance, according to Jeff Long, chief of the Utah Valley University police department.<\/p>\n

Kirk also had a private security team with him.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a dark day for our state. It\u2019s a tragic day for our nation,\u201d Utah Governor Cox said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to be very clear that this is a political assassination.\u201d<\/p>\n

What\u2019s the latest on the ground?<\/p>\n

Currently, the campus is closed, according to the university.<\/p>\n

At 12:37 pm (18:37 GMT), the university shut down the campus, cancelled classes, and told everyone to leave.<\/p>\n

At 2:01 pm (20:01 GMT), students were told to \u201cstay where you are until police can escort you off campus safely\u201d.<\/p>\n

Classes have been cancelled until further notice.<\/p>\n

UVU campus is closed. Classes cancelled. Those on campus, secure in place until police officers can escort you safely off campus. Police are currently going building to building escorting people off campus. Roads to campus are currently closed.<\/p>\n

\u2014 UVU (@UVU) September 10, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

What have been the reactions?<\/p>\n

Democrats and Republicans quickly denounced the shooting on social media and in Congress.<\/p>\n

Trump has ordered all American flags to be lowered to half-staff until Sunday evening, in honour of Kirk.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is no place\u201d for this violence, former US President Joe Biden said on X.<\/p>\n

There is no place in our country for this kind of violence. It must end now. Jill and I are praying for Charlie Kirk\u2019s family and loved ones.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) September 10, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Vice President JD Vance also reacted:<\/p>\n

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord. pic.twitter.com\/lYLEjv40bN<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 JD Vance (@JDVance) September 10, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had invited Kirk to Israel:<\/p>\n

Charlie Kirk was murdered for speaking truth and defending freedom. A lion-hearted friend of Israel, he fought the lies and stood tall for Judeo-Christian civilization. I spoke to him only two weeks ago and invited him to Israel. Sadly, that visit will not take place.
We lost an\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2014 Benjamin Netanyahu \u2013 \u05d1\u05e0\u05d9\u05de\u05d9\u05df \u05e0\u05ea\u05e0\u05d9\u05d4\u05d5 (@netanyahu) September 10, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Kirill Dmitriev, Russian President Vladimir Putin\u2019s investment envoy, posted on Telegram: \u201cThere was an attack on Charlie Kirk, one of the most ardent conservative leaders known for his positive statements about Russia and his calls for dialogue.\u201d<\/p>\n

Barack Obama, former US president, said this: \u201cDespicable violence has no place in our democracy.\u201d<\/p>\n

We don\u2019t yet know what motivated the person who shot and killed Charlie Kirk, but this kind of despicable violence has no place in our democracy. Michelle and I will be praying for Charlie\u2019s family tonight, especially his wife Erika and their two young children.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Barack Obama (@BarackObama) September 10, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Turning Point also posted on X:<\/p>\n

pic.twitter.com\/JbWK9BNnbR<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Turning Point USA (@TPUSA) September 10, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n