Charlie Kirk, 31, co-founder of Turning Point USA and a prominent voice among young conservative activists, was tragically shot and killed during a public event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Kirk was participating in his “American Comeback Tour,” leading one of his signature “Prove Me Wrong” tables, when the incident occurred. Witnesses reported hearing a single gunshot and seeing him clutch his neck before collapsing, prompting chaos and panic among attendees.
Authorities reported that the shot struck Kirk in the neck, just below the jaw, and appeared to have been fired from a nearby building roughly 200 feet away. The sudden nature of the attack left the crowd in shock and confusion. Emergency responders rushed him from the stage, but despite immediate medical attention, his injuries proved fatal. Around 2:40 p.m., former President Donald Trump confirmed Kirk’s death on social media, describing him as “legendary” and expressing deep sorrow over the loss.
Kirk is survived by his wife, Erika Frantzve, and their two young children—a three-year-old daughter and a younger son. Tributes and condolences poured in from across the nation. Political leaders, including Utah Governor Spencer Cox, condemned the attack, with Cox calling it a “political assassination.” Public discourse has focused on the dangers facing individuals in highly visible political roles and the increasing need for security at public events.
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