Charlie Kirk: MAGA influencer shot dead at university event in Utah

A suspect is in custody after the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the prominent MAGA campaigner and right-wing commentator, Utah Governor Spencer Cox confirmed.

Kirk was attending a rally at Utah Valley University when he was struck by a bullet in the neck.

US President Donald Trump confirmed Kirk’s death on Wednesday evening (local time).

“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead,” Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie.

“He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us,” Mr Trump added.

“Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!”

Mr Cox told reporters at a press conference that a person of interest is currently in custody and being interviewed by detectives.

“We have a person of interest in custody. The investigation is ongoing, but I want to make it crystal clear right now to whoever did this, we will find you, we will try you, and we will hold you accountable to the furthest extent of the law,” he said.

Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason clarified the man initially detained, George Zinn, was released after not matching the descriptions of the suspected shooter.

Mr Zinn, however, has been booked by the university’s police department for the obstruction of justice.

The White House lowered its flags to half-mast within an hour after Mr Trump confirmed Kirk’s death.

Mr Trump also shared on Truth Social that all American flags throughout the country should be lowered.

“In honor of Charlie Kirk, a truly Great American Patriot, I am ordering all American Flags throughout the United States lowered to Half Mast until Sunday evening at 6 PM,” he wrote.

Videos circulating on social media show Kirk sitting under a white tent and speaking into a microphone when he appears to be struck by a bullet in the neck.

WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT.

In another clip, blood can be seen gushing from Kirk’s neck immediately after the shot. Reuters has not confirmed the authenticity of the videos.

Kirk was visiting Utah Valley University as part of The American Comeback Tour, which is hosted by Turning Point USA, the conservative youth organisation he co-founded.

Video also shows students on campus scrambling to safety after the sound of gunfire rang.

A witness who was roughly 20 metres from the shooting described the scenes to NBC News.

“We heard a big loud shot, I saw a bunch of blood come out of Charlie, I saw his body king of kick back and go limp, and everybody dropped to the ground,” Justin Hickens said.

He said people began to run out of the outdoor pavilion area but eventually slowed down when they realised no more shots were being fired.

“I kind of turned around, and all of a sudden I saw officers walking with this very elderly gentleman with white hair,” Mr Hickens said.

“They had him arrested, they had him on his knees, and he was screaming about his rights and all that stuff. They cuffed him and put him away.”

According to Hickens, there was minimal security procedures for spectators to get into the event, however, Kirk had security guards.

Fox News earlier reported that the 31-year-old was hospitalised.

“A shot was fired from a nearby building and we have a suspect in custody,” a university spokesperson told Reuters in an email.

“We are closely monitoring reports of the tragic shooting involving Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University,” FBI Director Kash Patel said on X.

“Our thoughts are with Charlie, his loved ones, and everyone affected.”

Earlier, US President Donald Trump urged prayers for Kirk.

“We must all pray for Charlie Kirk, who has been shot. A great guy from top to bottom. GOD BLESS HIM!” Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social.

The suspect remains on the run, according to a Utah Valley University spokesperson.

“Today at about 12:10 a shot was fired at the visiting speaker, Charlie Kirk,” the university said in an X post.

“He was hit and taken from the location by his security. Campus police is investigating.”

The university remains closed and all classes have been cancelled.

“Those on campus, secure in place until police officers can escort you safely off the campus,” the university told its students via X.

Kirk hosted a popular podcast, The Charlie Kirk Show, and played a key role in Mr Trump’s outreach to young voters during the 2024 election.

His appearance on Wednesday was the first in a planned 15-event “American Comeback Tour” at universities around the US.

He often used such events, typically drawing large crowds of students, to invite attendees to debate him live. Before he was shot, Kirk was sitting at what he calls a “Prove Me Wrong” table to field questions from the audience.

Kirk had 5.3 million followers on X and had also recently co-hosted Fox & Friends on Fox News.

He was part of an ecosystem of pro-Trump conservative influencers, including Jack Posobiec, Laura Loomer, Candace Owens, who have helped to amplify the President’s agenda.

Kirk frequently attacked mainstream media and engaged in culture war issues around race, gender and immigration, often in a provocative style.

Both Republican and Democratic politicians expressed support for Kirk following the shooting.

“Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord,” Vice President JD Vance, who was close to Kirk, wrote on X.

“The attack on Charlie Kirk is disgusting, vile, and reprehensible,” Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom said on X.

“In the United States of America, we must reject political violence in EVERY form.”

with AP, Reuters