Charlie Kirk was shot and killed on September 10, 2025, while speaking at a university event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. The shooting happened during a Q&A session when Kirk addressed a question about transgender Americans and mass shootings. A gunshot was fired from the roof of a nearby building (the Losee Center), and Kirk was hit in the neck and later died from the injury. The suspect, identified as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson from Utah, was arrested within 33 hours after the shooting. Robinson had become more political in recent years and expressed disdain for Kirk's viewpoints shortly before the shooting. Authorities recovered a high-powered bolt-action rifle and are investigating the motive and background, but the shooting has been described as a political assassination linked to Kirk's activism and controversial stances.
Incident Summary
- Kirk was shot during a speaking event at Utah Valley University by a shooter on the roof about 150 yards away.
- He was responding to questions about transgender Americans and mass shootings before the shooting.
- The suspect was apprehended after a 33-hour manhunt, aided by family recognition and confession.
Suspect Details
- The suspect is Tyler Robinson, 22, from Utah.
- He had shown increased political interest and hostility toward Kirk's views.
- Police found a high-powered rifle used in the attack.
Context
- Kirk was a well-known conservative activist and Trump ally, often provoking strong political reactions.
- The shooting is viewed as a politically motivated assassination during a fraught period of violence and tension around political speech in the U.S.
