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Conservative activist and Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk was shot and killed Wednesday while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University in Orem.

He was 31 years old. Authorities confirmed the shooting was a “targeted attack” and launched a statewide manhunt for the suspect.

Shooting During “American Comeback Tour”

Kirk was participating in his organization’s “American Comeback Tour” when a gunman opened fire just after noon local time. According to CBS News, a single shot was fired from the roof of a building, striking Kirk while he addressed students during a “Prove Me Wrong” debate.

Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason said Kirk was the sole victim. Authorities are investigating multiple crime scenes and continue to search for the shooter. Two individuals were initially taken into custody but later released after being found unrelated to the attack. One was charged with obstruction by campus police.

National Leaders Condemn Political Violence

The killing has drawn swift condemnation across the political spectrum. President Donald Trump paid tribute on Truth Social:

“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.”

Former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden all issued statements denouncing the shooting. Bush called it “cold-blooded murder” and urged Americans to “purge violence and vitriol from the public square.” Clinton said he hoped the tragedy would inspire “serious introspection” about how Americans debate and disagree.

Events Cancelled and University Closed 

Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro also postponed a scheduled event, saying he was “utterly stunned and heartbroken and sick to my soul.”

Utah Valley University announced that all classes and events, including remote sessions, are suspended until Monday. With more than 27,000 undergraduates, UVU is the state’s largest public university. Officials emphasized their focus on safety and healing following the incident.

Kirk’s Legacy with Turning Point USA

Charlie Kirk founded in 2012 at just 18 years old. What began as a student conservative activism group grew into one of the most influential right-wing youth networks in the country, with chapters at over 850 colleges. The organization’s mission is to promote “fiscal responsibility, free markets, and limited government.”

Journalist Taylor Lorenz previously described TPUSA as a “right-wing influencer network,” crediting Kirk with becoming “one of the most powerful voices in the young conservative movement.”

The fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk has intensified debates about political violence in America. Leaders from across the aisle have united in condemning the act while urging a return to peaceful discourse. Meanwhile, law enforcement continues its manhunt for the shooter as Kirk’s supporters mourn the loss of a man who shaped a generation of conservative youth.

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