why was charlie kirk assassinated

Charlie Kirk was assassinated by a single gunshot to the neck while he was speaking at an event at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025. The shooter fired from the roof of a building about 130 to 142 yards away from where Kirk was seated, during a discussion about mass shootings and gun violence. The event was part of Kirk's "Prove Me Wrong" series where he debated contentious topics on college campuses. The motive appears linked to political violence, given Kirk's profile as a prominent right-wing activist and close ally of former President Donald Trump. The attack was described as a political assassination, reflecting broader political tensions in the US. The suspect initially fled and was the subject of a manhunt, with evidence including a high-powered bolt-action rifle being recovered near the campus. The killing has raised concerns about political violence and security at such events.