Conservative activist and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk was shot and killed yesterday during an appearance at Utah Valley University. The murder has shocked the United States, and President Donald Trump has condemned the act in several statements, calling Kirk a “martyr for truth and freedom”.

Charlie Kirk, 31, was participating in a public event during his “American Comeback Tour” when he was shot in front of an audience of approximately 3,000 people.

According to the police report, a single shot was fired from a rooftop of a building approximately 200 meters from the stage, and the bullet struck Kirk in the neck. Witnesses describe how the audience threw themselves to the floor or fled in panic, and Kirk was taken to the hospital in critical condition but later died from his injuries.

The investigation is being led by the FBI together with local authorities. Two people were initially brought in for questioning but were later released. Authorities confirm that a person of interest, dressed in black tactical equipment with helmet, mask, rifle and pilot goggles, has been described by witnesses. However, the killer’s identity and motive have not yet been established.

“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. 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!”, wrote the US president in a post on Truth Social and also published a filmed speech where he again emphasized his grief.

— I am filled with grief and anger at the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk. Charlie inspired millions and tonight all who knew him and loved him are united in shock and horror.

The president described Kirk as a “martyr for truth and freedom” and argued that the 31-year-old’s mission was to make people politically engaged, something he was better at than anyone else, according to Trump.

— Charlie was the best of America. I ask people to commit themselves to the American values for which Charlie Kirk lived and died: the values of free speech, citizenship, the rule of law, and the patriotic devotion and love of God.

TO MY GREAT FELLOW AMERICANS… pic.twitter.com/oRsrE5TTHr

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 11, 2025

Trump emphasized that the act was directed at the entire nation and that “the monster who attacked him” apparently had political motives.

— 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.

— An assassin tried to silence him with a bullet, but he failed, because together, we will ensure that his voice, his message and his legacy will live on for countless generations to come. Today, because of this heinous act, Charlie’s voice has become bigger and grander than ever before – and it’s not even close.

Trump is one of many public figures who have commented on the murder. At the same time, large memorial ceremonies have been arranged around the country where participants have sung “God Bless America” and praised Kirk.

Incredible. Large vigils for Charlie Kirk have popped up all over the country.

Patriots are out signing God Bless America, honoring Charlie’s work to save our country.

❤️ pic.twitter.com/FqlRCMGBnc

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) September 11, 2025

“Patriots are out signing God Bless America, honoring Charlie’s work to save our country”, notes journalist Nick Sortor, and talk show host Tucker Carlson briefly urged his followers to “never forget this young man”.

You misspelled “murdered.”

Oh, and Charlie Kirk was a journalist. Before anything else, you should be outraged that a fellow champion of a free press has been assassinated. But, of course, you’re just a propaganda organ for the Democrat Party, so why would you actually care? pic.twitter.com/ZTI33cFhU9

— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) September 11, 2025

Utah Governor Spencer Cox described the shooting as a “political murder” and Turning Point USA, the organization Kirk founded as a teenager, announced in a statement that they are “devastated” by the act and promised to continue Kirk’s work.

In left-liberal media, the tone has at times been different, and several of these have tried to relativize or downplay what happened. Some have even gone so far as to baselessly try to advance the theory that Kirk was accidentally shot by one of his own supporters, despite no evidence supporting this.

Although the assassination occurred as recently as yesterday, it is already considered by many to be one of the most high-profile political murders in modern US history, where many regard Kirk as a leader and central voice for young conservative voters.