POLITICAL activist Charlie Kirk’s last words before being fatally shot during a debate event in Utah have emerged.
The Conservative activist, 31, was doing a Q&A at Utah Valley University in Orem when a single shot was fired at him on Wednesday afternoon.
Charlie Kirk was shot and killed during a debate in UtahAP:Associated Press
Police initially took a man into custody but later confirmed he was not the suspected attackerAP:Associated Press
The crowd frantically ran as soon as the shot went off
Kirk, a father of two, was hosting an event for Turning Point USA, a nonprofit he founded at 18 which works with conservative youth on college campuses, when he was struck.
The event was previously described as a “high-energy evening featuring a candid conversation about conservative values.”
A video circulating on social media shows the activist speaking from a tent with “The American Comeback” written on it as gunfire rang out.
Moments before he was shot, Kirk was discussing gun violence throughout the country.
“Do you know how many mass shooters there have been in America over the last 10 years?” one audience member asked Kirk.
“Counting or not counting gang violence,” he replied before being cut off by the gunshot.
FBI director Kash Patel said in a statement on X that the person responsible for the shooting had been arrested.
However, when asked about the statement, Utah officials said that a person of interest was being interviewed.
Charlie Kirk’s rise to hero of the youth MAGA movement
CHARLIE Kirk transformed conservative youth activism from a marginal movement into a powerful force before his assassination on a college campus at 31.
Kirk was an American conservative political activist, author, and media personality who rose to prominence as the co-founder of Turning Point USA (TPUSA).
He launched the organization in 2012 when he was just 18 years old, with the goal of promoting conservative principles to high school and college students and became a significant figure in American politics by building a massive grassroots network, framing himself as a “culture warrior.”
The rise of Turning Point USA
Turning Point USA’s mission was to counter what Kirk and his allies saw as liberal dominance on American college campuses.
It quickly grew to prominence through his use of provocative activism and viral social media campaigns.
They created watchlists of professors pushing leftist propaganda and organized events to debate students on controversial topics.
The strategy helped them gain a significant following and financial backing from wealthy conservative donors.
Kirk’s ability to connect with a new generation of conservatives was one of his most notable impacts.
He cultivated a style of political engagement that was heavily reliant on social media, podcasts, and confrontational public appearances.
His organization’s events, such as the annual Student Action Summit, drew thousands of young attendees and featured prominent conservative speakers, creating a new kind of political ecosystem for young people who felt alienated from traditional conservative groups.
A key ally of Donald Trump
Kirk also became a staunch supporter and ally of President Donald Trump.
He was the youngest speaker at the 2016 Republican National Convention and served as an aide to Donald Trump Jr. during the presidential campaign.
This relationship solidified his position within the Republican Party’s “MAGA” (Make America Great Again) wing, and his organization became an integral part of Trump’s political apparatus.
Through his popular podcast, “The Charlie Kirk Show,” and his frequent appearances on conservative media, Kirk was a powerful voice in the pro-Trump movement.
He often framed political issues as a “spiritual battle” between good and evil and championed a pugnacious, populist form of conservatism.
His influence was so significant that after Trump’s 2024 victory, Kirk was credited with helping to mobilize younger voters for the campaign.
Influence on culture and social issues
Beyond traditional politics, Kirk’s influence extended deeply into social and cultural issues.
He was a vocal opponent of “woke” ideology, particularly in education and media.
He promoted traditional values, often encouraging young women to prioritize becoming homemakers and mothers over professional careers.
Kirk also openly criticized programs related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
He was also a major proponent of Christian nationalism, arguing that there is no true separation of church and state in the United States.
The Turning Point Empire
Kirk’s activism led to the expansion of the Turning Point brand into a larger political and media empire.
He launched Turning Point Action, a political advocacy group focused on voter mobilization, and Turning Point Faith, aimed at engaging evangelical Christian communities in conservative politics.
These affiliated organizations allowed him to broaden his reach and influence beyond college campuses, into a more mainstream political force.
Chilling footage showed Kirk recoil back to his left and fall into his chair.
Blood could be seen pouring down from his neck as the crowd began to panic.
Attendees screamed and chaotically fled the stage area after Kirk collapsed.
Witness Justin Higgens told NBC News that he saw the speaker get hit by the bullet.
“We heard a big loud shot, I saw a bunch of blood come out of Charlie, I saw his body kind of kick back and go limp, and everybody dropped to the ground,” Hickens said.
As people began to dash for the exit, Hickens said he felt safe as no more gunshots rang out after Kirk was hit.
“I kind of turned around and all of a sudden I saw officers walking with this very elderly gentleman with white hair,” Hickens said.
“They had him arrested, they had him on his knees and he was screaming about his rights and all that stuff.
Timeline of Charlie Kirk shooting
Conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was shot in the neck while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University on September 10.
12 pm MDT– Kirk is scheduled to host a debate in the UVU Fountain Courtyard.
12:10 pm – A shot is fired at Kirk from 200 yards away and hits him in the neck. The event is immediately evacuated and a man is taken into custody.
1:02 pm – President Donald Trump posts a call to pray for Kirk on Truth Social.
1:37 pm – UVU closes campus, cancels classes, and tells students to leave campus immediately.
1:50 pm – Officials confirm Kirk is in critical condition to the Associated Press.
2:40 pm – Trump confirms Kirk has died, hailing him “great, legendary” in a post on Truth Social.
4:21 pm FBI Director Kash Patel shares on X that the ‘subject for the horrific shooting’ is in custody.
4:30 pm – Utah Governor Spencer Cox, speaking at a press conference, brands Kirk’s death a ‘political assassination. Cox adds there is a ‘person of interest’ in custody and a man arrested earlier has been released.
“They cuffed him and put him away.”
Witness Tyler McGettigan also told NBC News that there was no security going into the event.
“I was expecting when I got here that I’d have to pass through some kind of security, but that just wasn’t a thing,” McGettigan said.
“No one checked the barcode or the QR code. There was no checkpoint to get in. It was literally, anyone could walk in if they wanted.”
DECLARED DEAD
Donald Trump confirmed the death of his longtime friend on social media.
“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 posted.
“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!”
Kirk leaves behind his wife Erika and their two young children, a one-year-old son and a daughter who turned three just weeks ago.
Initial statements reported that Kirk was in critical condition as he was being treated at a local hospital.
“[Kirk] is in the hospital, and we are praying for him at this time,” Turning Point USA initially confirmed to NBC News.
ReutersCrowds quickly fled the scene of the shooting[/caption]
Instagram/charliekirk1776Charlie Kirk and his wife, Erika Frantzve, have two young children[/caption]
Instagram/mrserikakirkCharlie Kirk married his wife Erika in 2021[/caption]
Utah Governor Spencer Cox posted on X immediately after the shooting, declaring that he will hold those responsible “fully accountable.”
“I am being briefed by law enforcement following the violence directed at Charlie Kirk during his visit to Utah Valley University today. We will continue to share updates,” the governor posted.
“Those responsible will be held fully accountable. 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.”
‘DISGUSTING’ ATTACK
Politicians and fellow political activists were quick to condemn the shooting of Charlie Kirk.
“The attack on Charlie Kirk is disgusting, vile, and reprehensible,” Democratic California governor Gavin Newsom posted on X.
“In the United States of America, we must reject political violence in EVERY form.”
Elected officials reaction to Charlie Kirk shooting
Vice President JD Vance: “Dear God, protect Charlie in his darkest hour.”
Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg: “Political violence must be always and totally rejected,” Buttigieg wrote on X. “Praying for him and all who may have been injured or impacted.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom: “The attack on Charlie Kirk is disgusting, vile, and reprehensible. In the United States of America, we must reject political violence in EVERY form.”
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker: “The attack on Charlie Kirk is horrifying. Political violence has no place in this country and should never become the norm. I’m sending my sympathies to his family and friends at this time.”
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis: “The way to resolve political disputes is not through violence. The way to do that is to ask questions, debate. An attack on the idea that we resolve these things through reasoned debate and elections.”
NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani: I’m horrified by the shooting of Charlie Kirk at a college event in Utah. Political violence has no place in our country.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: “Praying for @charliekirk11″
Trump also begged for prayers as Kirk fought for his life.
Kirk rose to fame after being an early supporter of Trump’s bid for president in 2012, when he was just 18 years old.
The two came together for presidential rallies and events hosted by Kirk’s organization.
In January, the day before he was sworn into office, Trump spoke about Kirk, who was in attendance at an event.
“Charlie Kirk is here. And I want to thank Charlie,” Trump said at the time.
“Charlie is fantastic. I mean, this guy.”
The campus police chief, Jeff Long, said that he was left heartbroken after Kirk was killed on their watch.
“You try to get your bases covered, and unfortunately, today, we didn’t,” he told reporters at a conference.
“Because of that, we have this tragic incident.”
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