&imwidth=800&imheight=600&format=webp&quality=medium "'How many shooters...': Trump ally Charlie Kirk was fatally shot while speaking about mass shootings")
Right-wing activist and United States President Donald Trump ally Charlie Kirk was fatally shot in on Wednesday (Sep 10) at an event at Utah Valley University. He was immediately taken to the hospital after the incident but he succumbed to his injurues. Notably, Kirk, who was vocal about his views on gun violence in America, was answering a question regarding mass shooting when he was shot, according to several videos circulating on social media. He was 31.
According to The New York Times, someone had asked him if he knew how many mass shooters there had been in America over the past ten years. “Counting or not counting gang violence?” Kirk responded right before he was shot. The video showed that he had moved his hand toward his neck as he fell off his chair. A graphical video of his shooting which is doing the rounds on social media showed a bullet hitting his neck and blood gushing out.
Announcing his death, United States President Trump called him a ‘patriot’ and "legendary" figure who deeply understood the youth of America. Trump, in a post on Truth Social, extended condolences, on behalf of himself and First Lady Melania Trump, to Kirk’s wife Erika and his family. Trump also announced that American flags at all state institutions will be flown at half-mast in his honour.
Who was Charlie Kirk?
Kirk was was a prominent right‑wing political activist, author, and one of the popular Trump ally. He was best known as the founder of Turning Point USA (TPUSA), a nonprofit that seeks to spread conservative ideas to students on US campuses. He launched it at age 18. Known for his staunch support of Donald Trump and provocative political style, Kirk was often described as the "youth whisperer" of the American right. He grew up in Illinois and first gained popularity after writing for Breitbart and appearing on Fox Business at age 17. Though he briefly attended college, he dropped out to pursue full-time activism.
Kirk hosted The Charlie Kirk Show, a three-hour daily radio programme since October 2020, ran via Turning Point Live. He once shared that he had “no money, no connections and no idea what I was doing” but TPUSA grew rapidly and changed his life. He has 5.2 million followers on X and 7.3 million followers on TikTok. Kirk, an advocate of Christian nationalism, opposed mask mandates, DEI programs, climate action, and the Civil Rights Act. He was involved in Trump’s 2024 campaign. Kirk is survived by his wife Erika Frantzve whom he married in 2021 and two children.
Trending Stories
)
Why asking questions could be more important than memorising answers
)
BRICS Summit 2026: Iran's Pezeshkian praises PM Modi at BRICS
)
Osama Bin Laden ‘planned’ to target India, CIA reveals dozens of declassified documents
)
PM Modi and China's Xi offered to help resolve Russia-Ukraine war: Kremlin
)
BRICS Summit 2026: Global leaders of BRICS nations attend main open session
)
BRICS rejects EU carbon tax as ‘punitive’, ‘discriminatory’; warns of burden on Global South
)
Why dehydration is the hidden cause of travel fatigue on long flights
)
Top 5 places to visit in Goa beyond its famous beaches
)
'He is popular...': Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim's praise for PM Modi during bilateral meeting | WATCH
)
BRICS Summit 2026: 30+ countries seek BRICS membership
)
Frustrated man demolishes his kitchen after thousands flock to see Mother Mary his wife spotted on the wall
)
BRICS Summit 2026: PM Modi, Xi reach key consensus on ties, China to assume BRICS chairmanship in 2027
)
Trump says Canada eager to reach a deal, it could come ‘fairly soon’ if Ottawa treats US farmers better
)
From drones to KAAN fighters: Turkey outlines 229% surge in defence spending amid regional shifts
)
‘Partners, not rivals’: Xi outlines four point plan for stronger India-China ties
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why Chinese PL-15 air-to-air missiles use dual-pulse motors compared to European interceptors
)
Could staying indoors all day affect your health?
)
Who is the smiling man beside Modi, Putin and Xi at BRICS Summit 2026?
)
Why going digital does not always mean becoming more efficient
)
800 million years old - Scientists discover 'fingerprints' of supercontinent Gondwana in ancient rocks
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why do air defence missiles explode near their target instead of hitting it?
)
From severe mobility problems to recovery: Madhuri the elephant’s journey of wildlife care
)
BRICS Summit day 1: New Delhi declaration adopted with full consensus, big diplomatic win for India
)
From India, Putin warns Europe against sending troops to Ukraine, Zelensky expresses willingness to meet him at G20 Summit
)
Did Iran President Pezeshkian touch feet of Hindu spiritual leader at Delhi event as shown in viral video?
)
9-year-old Chennai prodigy clears Cambridge IGCSE grade 10 exams
)
Why does your body need time to adjust after a long journey?
)
Baba Vanga's first prophecy for 2027 is out, and straight out of science fiction
)
BRICS Summit 2026: PM Modi to hold bilateral with leaders of seven countries
)
Ramanathaswamy temple takes centre stage as PM Modi welcomes world leaders at BRICS
)
Why does your skin need protection from UV rays?
)
How does the loss of forests affect the way wildlife lives and moves?
)
IND vs AFG, 1st T20I: When and where to watch live streaming in India?
)
Why do wild animals need quiet places to survive?
)
Humans may lose control of AI: Anthropic CEO calls for slowdown, Altman, Musk back him
Who shot him?
A suspect was taken into custody but has now been released, after the police said that he was not the actual shooter. The suspect was identified as Michael Mallinson. However, as the news of Kirk's death was shared by Trump, Utah Valley University clarified that there is no one in custody. In statements on social media, the university said the classes are suspended until further notice and urged students to leave the campus immediately. Utah Valley University spokesperson Scott Trotter said in a statement that a single shot had rung out in the quad near the food court on the Utah Valley University Orem Campus Kirk was beginning to speak at his planned rally.
