**Conservative activist Charlie Kirk killed in Utah campus shooting**
OREM, Utah — Conservative activist Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot Sept. 10, 2025, while speaking at a student-sponsored outdoor event at Utah Valley University.
Kirk, 31, was addressing a crowd of about 3,000 shortly after noon when a single shot was fired. Officials said he was struck and taken to Timpanogos Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Students and spectators fled as police locked down the campus.
Authorities described the shooting as a targeted attack. Investigators said the gunman fired from the roof of a nearby campus building. A high-powered bolt-action rifle believed to have been used in the shooting was later recovered in a wooded area, along with other forensic evidence.
Several people were briefly detained or questioned. Officials later said those individuals were not connected to the killing. The FBI asked the public for photos and video and offered a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to an arrest.
About 33 hours after the shooting, authorities announced that Tyler Robinson, 22, of Utah, was in custody. Officials said he turned himself in with his parents after relatives recognized images released by investigators. He was later charged with aggravated murder and other felonies. Prosecutors said they would seek the death penalty. Investigators said they continued to review evidence and build a full timeline.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox condemned the killing. Leaders from both parties denounced political violence. The attack renewed debate over security at campus political events, where speakers often face large crowds and open questioning.
Kirk had built Turning Point USA into a prominent conservative youth organization and was a frequent presence on college campuses. He is survived by his wife, Erika Kirk, and their children. Officials said the investigation into the circumstances of the shooting continued after the arrest.
