The United States is reeling from the shocking assassination of right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk, who was gunned down while addressing a large audience at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.
The 31-year-old conservative leader, best known as the co-founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot in the neck on Wednesday by a gunman still at large. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) officials described the incident as a “targeted event,” sending shockwaves across the nation already facing deep political divides under President Donald Trump’s second term.
FBI Special Agent Robert Bohls assured the public that security agencies were sparing no effort in their manhunt. “We’re doing everything we can to find him, and we’re not sure how far he has gone yet, but we will do our best,” Bohls stated during a media briefing.
Law enforcement confirmed the recovery of a high-powered bolt-action rifle believed to be the murder weapon, abandoned in nearby woodlands. Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason disclosed that investigators had secured clear video images of the suspect but would withhold them for now.
Although two individuals were initially detained for questioning, they were later released after being cleared of any connection to the crime.
President Trump personally broke the news of Kirk’s death, describing it as a “dark moment for America” in a televised message. He accused radical left groups of fueling an environment of hate, declaring: “For years, those on the radical left have compared wonderful Americans like Charlie to Nazis and the world’s worst mass murderers and criminals. This kind of rhetoric is directly responsible for the terrorism that we’re seeing.”
Utah Governor Spencer Cox labeled the killing a “political assassination,” echoing national fears about the escalation of politically motivated violence.
Kirk, who used platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube to promote conservative policies such as gun rights, Christianity, and anti-immigration measures, had become a symbolic figure for young conservatives. His sudden death has left supporters branding him a “martyr” for their cause.
okay.ng reports that Vice President JD Vance is expected in Utah to console Kirk’s family after postponing a planned trip to New York for 9/11 anniversary commemorations.
The tragedy comes just months after a Democratic lawmaker and her husband were murdered in Minnesota and weeks after Trump himself survived an assassination attempt during the 2024 election campaign.
