The killing of Charlie Kirk, 31, conservative activist and cofounder of Turning Point USA, has shaken the United States and sparked condemnation both domestically and abroad.

Kirk, a key figure in mobilizing young voters for Donald Trump, was shot in the neck while addressing students at Utah Valley University. He died minutes later in a local hospital. 

Trump himself confirmed the news on Truth Social, writing: “Nobody understood or had the heart of America’s youth better than Charlie.” Earlier, he had asked for prayers while Kirk was still being treated after the shooting. 

Videos circulating on social media show Kirk giving a speech when a sudden crack is heard. Moments later, he clutches his neck, bleeding heavily, before collapsing to the ground. 

The attack created confusion among authorities in the immediate aftermath. A university spokesperson initially told Reuters a suspect was in custody, but later AP sources denied that.

FBI Director Kash Patel claimed there was a detainee, while local police said the shooter was still at large. Colorado Governor Spencer Cox later stated that a “person of interest” had been taken into custody. 

The violence drew swift and widespread condemnation. Former President Barack Obama called the shooting “despicable” and said such acts have no place in democracy. Nancy Pelosi, former Speaker of the House, labeled the attack “reprehensible,” recalling the brutal assault on her husband at their home. 

From the Republican side, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis emphasized that Kirk stood for debate over violence. Other political figures, including former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper and New York City candidate Zohran Mamdani, also expressed outrage. 

International condemnation of Kirk’s assassination

Internationally, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mourned Kirk’s death, describing him as “a brave friend of Israel and a defender of Judeo-Christian values.” Netanyahu noted that he had spoken with Kirk just two weeks earlier and invited him to visit Israel. 

President Trump ordered U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff nationwide until September 14 in honor of Kirk, whom he called “a great American patriot.” 

Kirk was well-known for his confrontational style and for hosting open-mic debates at his “Prove me wrong” events, where he challenged critics directly. Clips of these exchanges often went viral on social media, cementing his influence among young conservatives. 

Married to former beauty queen and activist Erika Frantzve, and father of two, Kirk founded Turning Point USA at age 18. Over the years, he rose to become one of the most prominent voices on the American right, particularly among young voters. 

The assassination of Charlie Kirk not only leaves a void in the conservative movement but also reopens the debate over political violence in the United States, in an already polarized climate marked by fear of further attacks.