who is charlie kirk and how did he die

Charlie Kirk was an American far-right political activist, author, conspiracy theorist, and media personality. He co-founded the conservative organization Turning Point USA (TPUSA) in 2012 and was its executive director. Kirk was an influential voice in the populist MAGA movement and a prominent supporter of Donald Trump. He was known for his conservative activism, including campaigns against gun control, abortion, and LGBTQ rights, as well as promoting Christian nationalism and conspiracy theories. Charlie Kirk died on September 10, 2025. He was fatally shot in the neck while speaking at a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, during his "American Comeback Tour." The shooting occurred in front of about 3,000 people. He was taken to the hospital but was pronounced dead later that day at age 31. The shooting sparked a manhunt for the suspect, and political leaders across the spectrum condemned the violence. His last words before being shot were in response to a question about the number of mass shootings in America in the last 10 years. The incident deeply shocked the political community and elicited widespread reactions.