Salt Lake City, Utah — Conservative activist Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA and a polarising figure in American politics, was shot dead on Thursday during a campus event at the University of Utah. Authorities confirmed the 31-year-old was targeted while addressing students, sparking chaos and panic inside the packed auditorium.
Police reported that the assailant, whose identity has not yet been released, opened fire shortly after Kirk began speaking. Campus security and local law enforcement swiftly evacuated attendees. At least two other people were injured in the attack and are being treated at a nearby hospital.
The University of Utah declared an emergency lockdown that lasted several hours as investigators searched the grounds. Salt Lake City Police have described the situation as a “targeted attack” but declined to speculate on motives. Federal agencies, including the FBI, are assisting in the investigation.
Kirk, widely known for his staunch support of Donald Trump and his criticism of liberal policies on immigration, higher education, and gender identity, had been on a nationwide campus speaking tour aimed at mobilising young conservative voters ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Turning Point USA, the organisation Kirk co-founded at just 18, confirmed his death in a statement calling him “a fearless defender of American values” and urged supporters to “honour his legacy through continued activism.”
Reactions poured in from across the political spectrum. Prominent Republicans expressed shock and outrage, calling the killing an attack on free speech. Democrats, while condemning the violence, urged restraint in politicising the tragedy. President Joe Biden issued a brief statement late Thursday night, saying: “Violence is never the answer. This is a time for unity and respect for democratic debate.”
The killing of Charlie Kirk marks one of the most high-profile political assassinations in the United States in recent years, raising concerns about the intensifying climate of political polarisation and violence.
As investigations continue, campuses nationwide are reassessing security protocols for political events, underscoring the growing risks faced by outspoken public figures in today’s deeply divided America.
Leave a comment