Charlie Kirk Dead at 31, Donald Trump Says
UPDATE: A person detained by authorities in connection to the shooting death of Charlie Kirk has been released.
“The subject in custody has been released after an interrogation by law enforcement,” FBI director Kash Patel wrote on X (formerly Twitter) the evening of Sept. 10. “Our investigation continues and we will continue to release information in interest of transparency.”
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New information surrounding the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk is being uncovered.
Hours after the conservative activist was shot dead during a speaking event at Utah Valley University at age 31, the FBI confirmed that a person has been detained.
“The subject for the horrific shooting today that took the life of Charlie Kirk is now in custody,” FBI director Kash Patel tweeted Sept. 10. “Thank you to the local and state authorities in Utah for your partnership with @fbi.”
He added that the agency will provide updates on the case “when able.”
Utah Governor Spencer Cox additionally confirmed at a Sept. 10 press conference that a “person of interest” is in custody, which a senior FBI official told NBC News is the same person Patel was speaking of. The official said they are confident it’s the shooter.
Kirk, the co-founder of Turning Point USA, was about 20 minutes into a presentation at the Orem, Utah, school on Sept. 10 when the suspect fired a gunshot from the Losee Center, a building about 200 yards away, university spokesperson Ellen Treanor told CNN.
Before the FBI announced it had the “subject” in custody, a different man was initially detained but ultimately did not match descriptions of the suspected shooter, Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason told reporters.
Based on CCTV footage, the shooter—who only fired one shot—was dressed in all dark clothing, the commissioner said, adding, “I believe this was a targeted attack towards one individual.”
In light of the incident, the college closed down its campus, canceling all classes until further notice.
As Treanor told CNN in a statement, “We are asking those still on campus to secure in place until police officers can safely escort them off campus.”
CRISTOBAL HERRERA-ULASHKEVICH/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Kirk—who was hosting his signature “Prove Me Wrong” table at the college to kick off his nationwide American Comeback Tour at the time—was the only person shot in the incident and was transported to a nearby hospital shortly after, a spokesperson for the college told NBC News.
President Donald Trump confirmed Kirk’s death in a message later that same day.
“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead,” the 79-year-old wrote on Truth Social Sept. 10. “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.”
Michael Brochstein/SOPA Images/Shutterstock
Offering his condolences to Kirk’s wife Erika Frantzve and their two children, Trump added, “Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!”
In the wake of Kirk’s passing, the POTUS was one of just several people to pay tribute to the political activist, with Turning Point USA likewise honoring his life and legacy.
“May he be received into the merciful arms of our loving Savior who suffered and died for Charlie,” the conservative youth advocacy group shared in a statement to NBC News Sept. 10. “We ask that everyone keep his family and loved ones in your prayers. We ask that you please respect their privacy and dignity in this time.”
(E! and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)
For a look at Kirk’s life in photos, keep reading.
August 2022
Charlie Kirk and his wife Erika Frantzve Kirk announced the birth of their first child, a daughter.
“Welcome to the world baby girl,” the Turning Point USA co-founder wrote on Instagram. “We love you so much”
December 2024
The former Miss Arizona USA celebrated a beach trip with her family, including their son, who was born in May 2024.
“That’s the excitement about obedience, you find out later what God had in mind,” she wrote on Instagram. “Reframe and refocus your mindset, if you have to, but always find joy in the surrender.”
January 2025
Charlie and Erika visited the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. with their daughter, who they refer to online as “GG.”
“Train up a child in the way they should go, and when they are old they will not depart from it,” she captioned her Instagram post. “The only person who loves you more than us sweet GG is Jesus.”
March 2025
The conservative activist and his wife took GG to a Chicago Cubs baseball game.
“God, family, country,” he captioned the Instagram post, “and the Cubs.”
May 2025
Erika and Charlie brought their kids to the set of Sesame Street.
“Everyday with them I get to relive the firsts I didn’t even know I’d lost from my own childhood,” she wrote on Instagram. “It’s the purest kind of full circle. They are my reason to breathe slower, pray deeper, and love more intentionally.”
May 2025
Charlie celebrated the 1st birthday of his son and reflected on the impact that being a dad has had on him .
“He has brought an infinite amount of joy and laughter into our lives,” he wrote on Instagram. “Being a parent is an incredible gift, made far better because I get to do it alongside @mrserikakirk.
June 2025
Erika celebrated Charlie for “being the most intentional husband and daddy” with a Father’s Day post on Instagram, which included a video of him buying their daughter a new doll.
“You have to be on very good behavior to get something like this,” the conservative activist told his daughter while grabbing a doll from the store shelf. “Have you been a good girl? OK, I’ll get it for you.”
July 2025
In a Fourth of July video, Erika shared how the celebration of freedom reminds her of her love for Charlie.
“On days like today when the skies erupt in red, white, and blue and the air hums with the sound of freedom I find myself especially grateful for the man I call my husband,” she wrote on Instagram. “I love how much he loves this country. He believes that the freedoms we celebrate today are worth defending every day.”
“And while you may not agree with every word he says, I hope you can still be stirred by the fact that he can say them,” she continued. “That we can all speak. That this land, although imperfect in some ways and perfect in others, is stitched together by a Constitution that beautifully protects our voice, our worship, our homes, and our hope.”
She added, “That alone is something worth celebrating.”
August 2025
Charlie celebrated his eldest’s 3rd birthday with a memory of himself building sandcastles on the beach.
“Happy birthday to our incredible daughter,” Charlie wrote on Instagram. “Teaching her to know God, alongside @mrserikakirk, is the greatest privilege. Having a family will change your life in the best ways, so get married and have kids. You won’t regret it.”
Erika Kirk/Instagram
August 2025
Charlie and Erika took their kids to an Arizona Diamondbacks baseball game, which Erika saw as an opportunity to live her childhood again “through their eyes.”
“Am I providing a childhood for my kids that will be one that compels them toward gratitude and faith, or one that sends them searching for healing in places I failed to give it?” she wrote on Instagram. “And the answer to that, in all honesty, is being written once the decision is made.”
She added, “This window is short, drench yourself in it.”
This story was updated on Sept. 10, 2025, at 5:20 p.m. PT following new information from Patel.
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