Conservative activist Charlie Kirk was killed by a single shot in a targeted attack during an outdoor event on Wednesday at Utah Valley University, authorities said.
Kirk co-founded the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA and was a close ally of President Donald Trump.
No one was in custody Wednesday evening as authorities seek a new person of interest in the assassination, according to a law enforcement official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing investigation. The Utah Department of Public Safety also confirmed no one was in custody in the investigation into Kirk’s killing.
“This is a dark day for our state. It’s a tragic day for our nation,” said Utah Gov. Spencer Cox. “I want to be very clear, this is a political assassination.”
‘It needs to stop’: NC Republicans and Democrats condemn fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk
Politicians from across North Carolina offered condolences to Kirk’s family after he was shot and killed at the event.
Prayers for Kirk and his family poured in from all sides of the political spectrum. Former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper and RNC Chair Mark Whatley, the top two candidates for Thom Tillis’s Senate seat in 2026, condemned the attack on Kirk and political violence in all forms.
“Violence must have no place in our country, and we should all remember our common humanity,” Cooper posted on X. “I am praying for [Charlie] Kirk’s family and loved ones.”
“I will miss my friend, but know he is with our lord and Saviour right now being told, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant,” Whatley posted.
“Charlie was a fearless voice for freedom and an inspiration to a new generation of Americans,” said Rep. Richard Hudson, a Republican representing North Carolina’s 9th district in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Tim Moore, a Republican representing North Carolina’s 14th congressional district and former speaker of the NC House, said Kirk’s death is “what happens when you dehumanize those you disagree with.”
“Kirk was a warrior for what he believed in. It’s sick and un-American to call for or celebrate violence against someone you disagree with,” Moore said. “It needs to stop.”
This sentiment was shared across party lines.
“Political violence has no place in our country. Ever,” said Deborah Ross, a Democrat representing North Carolina’s 2nd congressional district.
‘Puts us on high alert’: Former Wake County Sheriff discusses challenges of protecting open political events
Donnie Harrison, a former sheriff of Wake County in North Carolina, told WRAL reporter Eric Miller that anyone working to secure a political rally in North Carolina, where a high-profile Senate race is expected to play out in 2026, will have to pay more attention to threats in the wake of the shooting.
“It still puts us on high alert every time,” Harrison said, adding that the public also plays a role in helping authorities maintain a safe environment and toning down violent rhetoric.
“I don’t know how to say it, other than it’s just getting bad,” Harrison said.
The news was surprising to UNC student Hadi Rahim, who said he debated Kirk when the conservative activist came to UNC’s campus in 2024, adding he now feels less comfortable at political events.
“I think I’m very outspoken about my political beliefs. I, honestly, didn’t feel safe,” Rahim said.
Kirk was shot while he was debating with people at a college campus event at Utah Valley University. Videos show Kirk had been taking questions from an audience member about mass shootings and gun violence.
“Do you know how many transgender Americans have been mass shooters over the last 10 years?” an audience member asked.
Kirk responded, “Too many.”
The questioner followed up: “Do you know how many mass shooters there have been in America over the last 10 years?”
Counting or not counting gang violence?” Kirk asked.
Then a single shot rang out.
At the time he was shot, Kirk was speaking in the throng in a low area surrounded by campus buildings.
Jeff Long, chief of Utah Valley University Police Department, says six officers were working at Kirk’s campus event, and more than 3,000 people were in attendance. Long said law enforcement tries to get the “bases covered.” But he added, “Unfortunately, today we didn’t, and because of that we have this tragic incident.”
Students, meanwhile, told The Associated Press they saw no metal detectors or bag checks. The amount of security appeared consistent with other speaking engagements on Kirk’s national tour.
While Rahim said the shooting made him reconsider his own political commentary on places like YouTube, he said it shouldn’t stop people from talking about politics.
“I realized that’s exactly what the shooter would want,” Rahim said.
‘I would call this political violence’: Rising violence against political figures a growing concern in the US
Elon University Political Science Professor Jason Husser called Wednesday’s shooting a growing problem across the country.
“This was a person who had a very prominent political position,” Husser said. “He was talking about politics on a stage when he was assassinated. I would call this political violence.”
Mark Walker, a former North Carolina congressman who knew Kirk, said he felt Kirk’s position put the conservative activist in some danger.
“I was with him last July at the convention. In the way that he set up his speeches, the way he would engage, he would have a security team,” Walker said.
Kirk’s death comes at a time of increasing violence towards political officials. In June, two state lawmakers in Minnesota were shot in their homes. One of the lawmakers, former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman, a Democrat, and her husband, Raleigh native Mark, were killed in the shooting.
In the summer of 2024, President Trump was shot in the ear at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The shooting killed a man attending the rally with his family. It was one of two assassination attempts on the then Republican candidate leading up to the 2024 election.
Pelosi, a Democrat, posted that “the horrific shooting today at Utah Valley University is reprehensible. Political violence has absolutely no place in our nation.”
Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) previously said he would not attend multiple town halls out of fear for his safety, and a U.S. citizen living in Thailand pleaded guilty to threatening to kill Tillis and his staff in April.
“74% of North Carolinians were at least somewhat to very concerned about violence breaking out,” Husser said. “What we’ve seen today, even though this is arguably not election-related violence, it’s still violence against a political figure, is that the majority of North Carolinians were right to be worried.”
Husser said he hopes Kirk’s death can serve as a moment to shine a light on the growing risks of political violence.
“I do hope that our political leaders will take this as a moment to really shine a light on the things that unite us together, and not use this as an opportunity to divide even further,” Husser said.
The New York Times, The Associated Press, WRAL reporters Eric Miller and Heidi Kirk, and WRAL multiplatform producer Joseph Ochoa contributed to this story.