While Charlie Kirk was speaking at Utah Valley University at an outdoor "Prove Me Wrong" table, one shot rang out. It was about 12:10 p.m. local time. Some reports say 12:20 p.m.
The bullet struck Charlie in the neck, and blood began to spill from the wound instantly. He was quickly taken to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
As of now, the shooter remains at large. Authorities report the suspect, dressed in dark clothing, fired at Charlie Kirk from approximately 200 yards away.
For those unfamiliar with Charlie Kirk, he rose to prominence over the years for openly engaging with college students on political and cultural issues. He often set up “Prove Me Wrong” tables to encourage students to openly challenge his views.
Charlie is best known for having co-founded Turning Point USA in 2012 at age 18. The grassroots non-profit promoted conservative values and encouraged open discourse between conservative and liberal students on high school, college, and university campuses. According to the organization, TPUSA now has a presence of on over 3,500 high school and college campuses nationwide.
Over the years, TPUSA’s political advocacy arm has helped raised millions for Republicans. Back in 2021, it sponsored several buses to send about 350 people to attend a Jan. 6 rally in support of President Donald Trump.
Indeed, Charlie was a strong Trump ally.
As Trump stated, Charlie traveled across the country and passionately engaged in good-faith debates with anyone willing to discuss ideas. He shared and defended his beliefs with “courage, logic, humor, and grace.”
Charlie also engaged in many political and cultural discussions and debates across a range of media platforms, from radio and TV stations, to multiple social media channels.
He was committed to fostering in civil discourse with everyone. In doing so, he set a powerful example for young Americans and inspired them to participate in the political process with an emphasis on civility, even during heated discussions.
Even California Gov. Gavin Newsom kicked off his new podcast with Charlie as the first guest back in March. While they disagreed on nearly everything, they showed that debates can be constructive and remain respectful.
Charlie also had his own podcast, The Charlie Kirk Show, which is on Apple’s top 10 news podcasts.
“Charlie was a patriot who devoted his life to the cause of open debate and the country that he loved so much, the United States of America. He fought for liberty, democracy, justice, and the American people. He’s a martyr for truth and freedom, and there’s never been anyone who was so respected by youth.”
“Charlie’s children will be raised with stories instead of memories, photographs instead of laughter, and silence where their father’s voice should have echoed. … Charlie Kirk’s life should serve as a symbolic reminder that compassionate awarenss elevates family, love, and country.”
“Those responsible will be held fully accountable. Violence has no place in our public life. Americans of every political persuasion must unite in condemning this act. Our prayers are with Charlie, his family, and all those affected.”
The killing of Charlie Kirk triggered a global outpouring of condolences and denunciations of violence from people of all backgrounds and political beliefs. Many voiced dismay and grief that a man who openly shared his views, who was simply exercising his First Amendment rights, would be targeted for murder.
Here below are responses from several former U.S. leaders:
“There is no place in our country for this kind of violence. It must end now. Jill and I are praying for Charlie Kirk’s family and loved ones.”
— Former President and Vice President Joe Biden
“I am deeply disturbed by the shooting in Utah. Doug and I send our prayers to Charlie Kirk and his family. Let me be clear: Political violence has no place in America. I condemn this act, and we all must work together to ensure this does not lead to more violence.”
—Former Vice President Kamala Harris
“We don’t 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’s family tonight, especially his wife Erika and their two young children.”
—Former President Barack Obama
“Today, a young man was murdered in cold blood while expressing his political views. It happened on a college campus, where the open exchange of opposing ideas should be sacrosanct. Violence and vitriol must be purged from the public square. Members of other political parties are not our enemies; they are our fellow citizens. May God bless Charlie Kirk and his family, and may God guide America toward civility."
— Former President George W Bush
“I’m saddened and angered by Charlie Kirk’s murder. And I hope we all go through some serious introspection and redouble our efforts to engage in debate passionately, yet peacefully. Hillary and I are keeping Erika, their two young children, and their family in our prayers.”
— Former President Bill Clinton
The above responses are quite representative of the vast majority of Americans’ reactions, and reflects the typical, compassionate reaction to the murder of an ordinary person.
However, a notable contingent of people who strongly opposed Charlie’s views took to social media, unleashing a torrent of vitriolic sentiments.
Some brazenly rejoiced in his tragic murder, others veiled their satisfaction in subtle insinuations, while certain voices went so far as to assert that his outspoken views justified his fate.
These anonymous online commentators frequently distorted Charlie’s statements, stripping them of context to fuel their entrenched biases against him.
Even more brazen, a number of people started wishing for more right-wing figures to be assassinated.
Liberals and conservatives inhabit such disparate ideological realms that, despite sharing the English language, genuine understanding eludes them. This deep-seated divide foments negative perceptions between the two sides. And while patient, thoughtful dialogue could bridge this gap, most interactions quickly deteriorate into insults and hostility.
It is this very rift that fueled such dark expressions of sentiment following Charlie’s death. It’s in part due to genuine ideological opposition and in part due to a fundamental failure to grasp the essence of his message.
To anyone who expressed even a bit of satisfaction about Charlie’s death, I say:
You don’t have to agree with Charlie’s views. You don’t even have to mourn his death. But celebrating anyone’s murder is wrong.
If you oppose gun violence, as many of those who celebrated his death do, you cannot celebrate it when it targets someone you dislike.
Charlie was unarmed and non-violent, and his death leaves behind a three-year-old and an infant who will grow up without their father.
In times like these, we should come together to mourn and reflect. At the very least, we should not revel in someone’s death over differing opinions.
As Americans, whether born or naturalized, we must uphold the Constitution. No one should fear for their life for exercising their freedom of speech and defending their personal views.
As President Trump stated in the wake of Charlie’s death: “It’s long past time for all Americans and the media to confront the fact that violence and murder are the tragic consequence of demonizing those with whom you disagree day after day, year after year, in the most hateful and despicable way possible.
“For years, those on the radical left have compared wonderful Americans like Charlie to Nazis and the world’s worst mass murderers and criminals. This kind of rhetoric is directly responsible for the terrorism that we’re seeing in our country today, and it must stop right now.”
This is the kind of dehumanizing rhetoric that came from the left about Shinzo Abe that eventually led to his assassination in Japan.
And, as Newsom puts it:
“We should all feel a deep sense of grief and outrage at the terrible violence that took place in Utah today. Charlie Kirk's murder is sick and reprehensible …
“… I admired his passion and commitment to debate. His senseless murder is a reminder of how important it is for all of us, across the political spectrum, to foster genuine discourse on issues that deeply affect us all without resorting to political violence.
“The best way to honor Charlie's memory is to continue his work: engage with each other, across ideology, through spirited discourse. In a democracy, ideas are tested through words and good-faith debate — never through violence.
“Honest disagreement makes us stronger; violence only drives us further apart and corrodes the values at the heart of this nation.”
Once, Charlie was asked how he’d want to be remembered.
“I want to be remembered for courage, for my faith. That would be the most important thing. The most important thing is my faith in my life.”
Please keep Charlie’s family in your prayers.
Rest in peace, Charlie Kirk.
Thank you Jim.