Charlie Kirk Dead at 31, Donald Trump Says
Charlie Kirk was talking about gun violence when he was shot dead.
The Turning Point USA co-founder—known for inviting college students to challenge his conservative views in what he called a “Prove Me Wrong” debate—was in the middle of answering a question about mass shootings when gunfire rang out on the Utah Valley University campus Sept. 10.
As seen in video footage obtained by NBC News, a student asked Kirk, “Do you know how many mass shooting there have been in America over the last 10 years?”
The 31-year-old replied, “Counting or not counting gang violence?” before a shot was heard from the crowd.
Kirk was about 20 minutes into his speaking event when he was shot, a spokesperson for the university told NBC News. He was rushed to a local hospital following the shooting, a Turning Point USA representative confirmed.
“It is with a heavy heart that we confirm that Charles James Kirk has been murdered by a gunshot,” the rep shared in a statement shortly after the incident. “May he be received into the merciful arms of our loving Savior who suffered and died for Charlie.”
As UVU shut down its campus, authorities took a “person of interest” into custody, according to Utah Governor Spencer Cox.
FBI director Kash Patel confirmed on X (formerly Twitter) that “the subject for the horrific shooting today that took the life of Charlie Kirk is now in custody,” adding that officials will provide updates on the case “when able.” (The person of interest has since been released.)
Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images
In the wake of Kirk’s death, President Donald Trump, who the political activist supported, wrote on Truth Social, “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,” the POTUS added, “and now, he is no longer with us.”
Kirk is survived by his wife Erika Frantzve and their two kids.
For more about Kirk’s family, read on.
(E! and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)
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.”
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