Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative youth organizer and founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed during an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. He was 31 years old. Kirk was known for his work as a podcaster and frequent guest on Fox News.

Former President Donald Trump expressed his condolences on Truth Social, stating, "The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie."

The shooting has drawn widespread condemnation from lawmakers across the political spectrum. Democratic Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut addressed the Senate, saying, "We are all horrified watching the images and following the news out of Utah, and we are sending all of our thoughts to Mr. Kirk, to his family, to survivors there." Republican Senate Leader John Thune of South Dakota added, "There is no place in our country for political violence. Period, full stop."

Kirk was at Utah Valley University to launch his "American Comeback Tour," which included a segment called "prove me wrong," where audience members could debate him publicly. His organization, Turning Point USA, is described as a national movement aimed at empowering young people to advocate for free markets and limited government.

In recent months, Kirk faced backlash from some students. A petition to prevent him from speaking at Utah State University garnered over 6,000 signatures, while a similar petition at Utah Valley University received fewer than 1,000 signatures.

Turning Point USA, founded by Kirk in 2012, has expanded significantly, claiming to be active on over 3,500 college and high school campuses across the country. The organization raised $81.7 million in 2023, a significant increase from $4.3 million in 2016, according to tax filings.

Kirk's influence in conservative circles was recognized when he made the Forbes "30 under 30" list in 2018. His podcast, The Charlie Kirk Show, has gained a large following, ranking 7th in Apple News podcasts and 10th in Spotify news.

In January 2024, Kirk faced criticism for comments made on his podcast regarding Black pilots, which sparked strong reactions from various groups, including Black pilots. His remarks reportedly created tensions within the Republican National Convention, although he maintained support from Trump, who praised Kirk's efforts to mobilize young conservatives.