Utah was left in shock on Wednesday after conservative activist Charlie Kirk, a close ally of former President Donald Trump, was shot and killed while speaking at Utah Valley University.
Authorities described the killing as a deliberate political assassination, carried out from a rooftop overlooking the campus courtyard.
Governor Spencer Cox condemned the shooting in the strongest terms, calling it a “tragic day for our state and our nation.”
He vowed that the perpetrator, already in custody, would be held accountable under Utah’s laws, which allow for the death penalty.
Officials have yet to reveal the suspect’s identity, possible charges, or motive.
The fatal shooting occurred during a debate hosted by Kirk’s nonprofit, Turning Point USA.
Videos verified by the Associated Press show him addressing the audience under a tent emblazoned with the slogans “The American Comeback” and “Prove Me Wrong.”
As he responded to a pointed question about mass shootings, a single gunshot rang out.
The 31-year-old clutched his neck as blood poured out, prompting panic and screams from the crowd.
Witnesses said the shot was fired by a figure dressed in dark clothing positioned on a campus rooftop.
Police immediately locked down and evacuated the university, with armed officers scouring nearby neighbourhoods for evidence and questioning residents. Classes were suspended indefinitely.
Former President Trump announced Kirk’s death on Truth Social, hailing him as “Great, and even Legendary,” and praised his ability to connect with young voters.
Trump later ordered flags lowered to half-staff and issued a presidential proclamation.
Leaders from both political parties denounced the killing, with Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom calling the act “disgusting, vile, and reprehensible,” and former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, a survivor of gun violence herself, expressing heartbreak for Kirk’s wife and young children.
The assassination comes amid a troubling rise in politically motivated violence across the United States, incidents that have targeted figures from across the political spectrum.
Recent cases include the killing of a Minnesota lawmaker and her husband, an arson attack at Pennsylvania’s governor’s residence, and last year’s attempted assassination of Trump during a campaign rally.
Kirk’s Utah event had already been mired in controversy.
Nearly 1,000 students had signed a petition urging the university to cancel his appearance, though administrators cited constitutional protections of free speech in allowing it to proceed.
Kirk himself highlighted the backlash on social media days before the event, posting, “What’s going on in Utah?”
A familiar face in conservative politics, Kirk co-founded Turning Point USA in 2012 at just 18.
Initially a modest operation, the group gained prominence by aggressively promoting conservative ideas on college campuses and later becoming a strong backer of Trump’s presidency.
Kirk quickly rose to national attention, frequently appearing on television and aligning himself with the culture war issues that defined much of Trump-era Republican politics.
Former Utah Congressman Jason Chaffetz, who attended Wednesday’s event, told Fox News that security at the venue appeared minimal.
“It seemed like a close shot,” he recalled, visibly shaken. “Utah is one of the safest places on the planet, and we just don’t see things like this happen here.”
