Charlie Kirk, an American right-wing political activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA, was assassinated on September 10, 2025, while speaking at an event on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. He was fatally shot in the neck by a gunman positioned on the roof of a building approximately 130 meters away. The suspect, Tyler James Robinson, 22, surrendered the next day and was charged with murder, with prosecutors seeking the death penalty. The motive for the assassination appears to be politically motivated. Robinson had very different political views from his conservative family, adhering to what was described as a "leftist ideology." He is believed to have become radicalized after dropping out of Utah State University and was influenced by aspects of internet culture. Prosecutors revealed that Robinson had concerns about gay and transgender rights and had a strained relationship with his transgender roommate, which was cited as a factor in his radicalization. Text messages allegedly showed Robinson planning the shooting for over a week and expressing that he had "enough of [Kirk's] hatred" and that "some hate can't be negotiated out." The assassination drawn significant attention as an example of increasing political violence in the United States, with varied political responses and commentary surrounding it. Despite claims by some political figures that Robinson was connected to left-wing groups, investigations had not found direct evidence confirming such links at the time.
