While much is still unknown, a suspect is now in custody.
On Wednesday, Sept. 10, right-wing activist and CEO of Turning Point America, Charlie Kirk, 31, was shot and killed during a debate event at Utah Valley University. The news of his killing spread rapidly after graphic videos of the incident reached social media. Kirk had arrived in Utah to host another event for his “American Comeback Tour,” a series of debates with college students and others on controversial American political topics. In fact, he had just been asked a question on mass shootings in America when he was shot in the neck. Kirk was immediately carried out by his security and rushed to Timpanogos Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead later that afternoon.
President Donald Trump took to X quickly after to share his condolences for Kirk, his wife, Erika and his two children. Kirk was a longtime ally and fan of President Trump and has very openly shared his support for him. Per CBS News, on September 12, the suspected killer, Tyler Robinson, 22, admitted to killing Kirk to his father. Robinson has now been charged with aggravated murder and could face the death penalty as well as federal charges, though it is unclear what those would be at this time. Investigators are still looking into the possibility that others knew the shooting would occur and did not warn authorities. Robinson was reportedly ‘obsessed’ with the conservative activist based on the alleged shooter’s digital footprint, stated ABC News on September 15.
Charlie Kirk briefly attended Harper College before dropping out after one semester to pursue a more political career—a topic that was regularly brought up in debates due to his belief that college is a scam in America. He co-founded the conservative organization Turning Point USA and hosted “The Charlie Kirk Show.” In both of these organizations, he shared his controversial views on abortion, immigration, gun violence, and other hot button issues. Kirk has also been believed to share conspiracy theories and false claims. Most notably in 2020, he shared false information about COVID-19 on his social media. He often made extreme remarks during his debates at colleges across the country, using rhetoric that was often described as divisive, racist, xenophobic, and extreme.
In May 2021, Kirk married his wife, Erika, welcoming their first daughter in 2022 and a son in 2024. Erika Kirk has since been very open to the public with her reaction to her husband’s death and has since taken over as CEO of Turning Point USA. Turning Point USA has further announced that their tour will continue in the fall. His death has once again sparked a massive debate on gun violence, encouraging people to speak out on school shootings, deaths in Gaza, and the other outcomes of gun violence. There have also been many memorials held in Kirk’s memory across the country, including in Oklahoma. Oklahoma State Senator Shane Jett, along with the Oklahoma Freedom Caucus, a congressional caucus consisting of conservative lawmakers, have filed three pieces of legislation meant to honor Kirk, one of which would declare Kirk’s birthday a state holiday.
