Charlie Kirk Dies After Being Shot: Conservative Activist Was 31

Amanda Bell
8 Comments
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JULY 15: CEO of Turning Point USA Charlie Kirk speaks on stage on the first day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 15, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Delegates, politicians, and the Republican faithful are in Milwaukee for the annual convention, concluding with former President Donald Trump accepting his party's presidential nomination. The RNC takes place from July 15-18. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

Charlie Kirk, the right-wing political commentator and cofounder of the activist organization Turning Point USA, died at the age of 31 after being shot during a speaking event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday (September 10).

Kirk was hosting the event as part of his “American Comeback Tour” series of speaking to college students when a shot rang out, and he could be seen falling with an apparent wound on his neck. A person on site was initially detained but was determined not to be the shooter and was released, per The New York Times.

Donald Trump issued a statement of remembrance on his social media site while announcing Kirk’s death, writing, “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 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!”

In response to the news of his shooting, Utah Governor Spencer Cox wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “Violence has no place in our public life. Americans of every political persuasion must unite in condemning this act. Our prayers are with Charlie, his family, and all those affected.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson said, “Political violence must be called out… We need everyone who has a platform to say this loudly and clearly: We can settle disagreements and disputes in a civil manner.”

Other American leaders from both political parties spoke out after the shooting to condemn the act of political violence and offer prayers for Kirk and his family.

Kirk, a native of Arlington Heights, Illinois, was known for touring college campuses across the United States to share his conservative messaging through the TPUSA organization, which he cofounded in 2012 with Bill Montgomery, a member of the Tea Party. He was also the host of the conservative talk show The Charlie Kirk Show.

Prior to engaging in his political activism, Kirk attended (but did not graduate from) Harper College.

He is survived by his wife, Erika Frantzve, whom he married in 2021, and two children.

Charlie Kirk



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  1. M

    MC 9

    Absolutely disgraceful. He was 31 years old with 2 children and there was no need for this violence. Very very sad 😢💔

    7

  2. C

    CyanCandy

    To the people on here, and other sites, giddy at the loss of a human life simply becaus he had different opinions than yours - yeah you're the problem. Most of us see that clearly, hopefully some day you'll realize it too and change. The hate and lies have to stop.

    8 2

    1. G

      GreenBee

      Wish I could upvote your comment 1000x1000. It’s Truth

      1 1

  3. R

    raine

    I may not have agreed with his politics But there is no excuse or reason for violence It's like we're going back to the 60s. May he rest in peace.

    7 1

  4. I

    Isabel

    God should have protected him, we need more like Charlie,

  5. R

    RedBulb

    will Trump send in the National Guard now? of course not...its a conservative republican state! Had this happened in a dem state the marines would already be there

    8 9

    1. G

      GreenBee

      That’s because the vast majority of the time conservative states are well governed and don’t have the crime problems that Liberal Left states have.

      1 1

  6. O

    OliveHelmet

    He's not a political activist, he was a racist, misogynistic, genocide supporter who is now in hell. He never should have been on a public university campus and putting the lives of students in danger, either.

    4 10