Charlie Kirk dies after a campus shooting
Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA and one of the most outspoken anti-LGBTQ activists in the country, passed away after being filmed at a lecture event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.
Kirk spoke to a student Wednesday evening as gunmen fired and struck his neck from a nearby campus building as part of his “America comeback tour.” Authorities say he was taken to a local hospital in danger and later succumbed to his injuries.
Former President Donald Trump has announced Kirk’s death on his social media platform, True Social. “Even the great and legendary, Charlie Kirk is dead. He didn’t understand the minds of the youth of the United States better than Charlie or he didn’t have a better chance of Charlie.”
Previously, Utah Valley University said the suspect was in custody, but authorities later revealed that no arrests were made and no details regarding the shooter or possible motives have been released.
Confusion over suspects as the investigation unfolds
Police say the shooting came from a campus building about 200 yards away, and Utah Valley University was soon blocked. Hours after the shooting, the university issued an alert that the suspect was taken into custody. Authorities later revealed that no one was in custody, and details about the shooter or possible motives have not been made public.
The FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, and federal agencies, including the cigarettes, firearms and explosives, are supporting local investigators.
National leaders condemn the attack
The shooting drew a quick response from the entire political spectrum. President Donald Trump called Kirk “a great man from top to bottom,” urging his supporters to pray for his family.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom called the attack “disgusting, sleazy and condemning,” but former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said political violence “has no place in our country.”
Transportation Director Pete Buttigigue emphasized that “political violence must always and completely rejected.” “There are always differences of opinion in a democratic society, but we should never allow America to become a country that stands up to those differences with violence,” added Gabriel Gifford, a former Arizona Congressman who survived the assassination attempt.
At the same time, right-wing commentators quickly began framing filming as part of a broader story about “left-wing violence.” The Arizona Republican Breakmasters claimed in X that “left violence is out of control,” but far-right personality Mike Sernovich called for a Congressional hearing targeting progressive donors. Journalist Matthew Iglesias warned that such rhetoric could be exploited as an excuse to suppress political opposition.
Charlie Kirk’s anti-LGBTQ records
Kirk’s rise was defined by his relentless opposition to LGBTQ+ rights. Through Turning Point and his own media platform, he frequently opposed transgender people, abortion rights, and marriage equality. He uses podcasts and radio shows to advance the points of anti-LGBTQ talk, establishing his position as a cultural warrior against strange and progressive movements.
His influence has shaped Republican youth politics for over a decade, embedding anti-LGBTQ rhetoric into mainstream GOPs.
Security questions
Witnesses at the Utah Valley University event said there were no metal detectors or security screenings. Utah law allows both hidden and open carry for adults with permits. This was made clear earlier this year under House Bill 128.
Kirk himself was a solid supporter of vast gun rights. After the 2023 shooting at Nashville School, he argued that gun death was a “cost” necessary to maintain the second amendment. According to Newsweek.
College cancels classes
Utah Valley University cancelled all classes and events after filming, urging students and staff to leave campus.
This story is developing.
Editorial Note: Gayty condemns all forms of political violence. Charlie Kirk has built his career opposed to LGBTQ+ equality and spreading harmful rhetoric about queer and trans people, but violence is by no means an acceptable response. The LGBTQ+ community continues to follow this story closely as Kirk’s influence has shaped anti-LGBTQ policies and promoted a political climate hostile to strange lives.
Source: Gayety – gayety.com
