Around noon, Mountain Daylight Time on Sept. 10, 2025, 31-year-old political activist and CEO of Turning Point USA (TPUSA), Charlie Kirk, was assassinated in Orem, Utah, at Utah Valley University (UVU). Kirk was on the UVU campus for his Prove Me Wrong social debates on the American Comeback Tour.
Kirk started his political movement in 2012 at the age of 18. According to their website, TPUSA is a conservative non-profit organization that travels across the country to promote “freedom-loving American values on over 3,500 campuses.” TPUSA has organized over 2,000 student groups and 800 faith groups. The event held at UVU was the tour kickoff for 10 planned stops.
Kirk had only started talking to the second debater when a single shot was heard. One eyewitness, Raydon DeChene, shared a testimony with CBS. “All of a sudden, I hear a pop… I just saw him grab, it looked like his neck, and there’s just blood pouring out everywhere,” said DeChene.
Immediately after being shot, Kirk was rushed to the hospital, and efforts to find the perpetrator were put into action by the FBI.
At 2:40 p.m. MDT, President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social, announcing that Kirk had passed away in the hospital. “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 by 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,” said Trump.
FBI Director Kash Patel announced on X that a person of interest had been put into custody. “The subject for the horrific shooting today that took the life of Charlie Kirk is now in custody. Thank you to the local and state authorities in Utah for your partnership with the FBI. We will provide updates when able,” said Patel.
Patel later reported that the individual in custody was released after further questioning. “The subject in custody has been released after an interrogation by law enforcement. Our investigation continues and we will continue to release information in interest of transparency,” said Patel on X.
On Sept. 12, 2025, CBS News reported that a suspect had been identified and arrested as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson. “Robinson is being held on charges of aggravated murder, obstruction of justice and felony discharge of a firearm. Formal charges are expected to be filed on Tuesday,” said CBS News.
On Sept. 16, 2025, NBC News reported that the Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray will be pursuing the death penalty for the suspect, Tyler James Robinson.
“Today, after reviewing the evidence that law enforcement has collected thus far, I am filing a criminal information charging Tyler James Robinson, age 22, with the following crimes,” said Gray.
Gray continued by listing two first-degree felonies, two second-degree felonies, two third-degree felonies, and one class A misdemeanor. “Also, following the press conference, I am filing a notice of intent to seek the death penalty. I do not take this decision lightly, and it is a decision I have made independently as county attorney based solely on the available evidence and circumstances in nature of the crime,” said Gray.
Kirk is survived by his wife Erika and two children. Out of respect for the Kirk family, it is encouraged to refrain from sharing graphic content.
