Conservative influencer Charlie Kirk has died after being shot in the neck during an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, on Sept. 10, President Donald Trump confirmed.
“No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
Kirk was scheduled to be the keynote speaker at the Center for Christian Virtue’s Cleveland Celebration Gala being held on Sept. 26.
“Charlie Kirk has inspired millions of Christians, especially college students, to stand courageously for the truth,” Center for Christian Virtue president Aaron Baer said in an email. “He is a gifted and fearless communicator and a brilliant leader. Our nation has not witnessed political violence like this in decades, but this attack will not silence Charlie or CCV’s message.”
No further details about the gala were immediately made available.
Livestream video of the event showed crowds of people running from the university’s courtyard where Kirk, 31, was holding a speaking event when the shooting occurred.
The university said the campus is closed and classes are canceled until further notice. “Police are investigating. Leave campus immediately. Follow police instructions,” the school said in a post on X.
Who is Charlie Kirk?
Kirk became a national figure as a conservative influencer and as the founder of Turning Point USA, an organization that pushes for conservative politics on high school and college campuses.
In 2024, he spoke at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where he gave a speech focusing on what Kirk says he heard from young people around the U.S.
He was married to Erika Kirk, an entrepreneur, and the father of two children. Their daughter was born in August 2022, and they had a son in 2024.
Vance, Ohio lawmakers offer prayers after Charlie Kirk shot and killed at Utah event
Following news of the incident involving Kirk, several Ohio lawmakers offered prayers and decried political violence.
“Fran and I are shocked and saddened by the shooting of Charlie Kirk in Utah today,” Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said. “Political violence is completely unacceptable anywhere and at any time. We are praying Charlie and his family.”
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, killed in shooting, was set to speak in Cleveland
Reporting by N’dea Yancey-Bragg, Dinah Voyles Pulver, Aysha Bagchi, Josh Meyer, Joey Garrison and Shahid Meighan, USA TODAY NETWORK / Akron Beacon Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
